ation for gallantry? And they answered, "Is it possible that
we can be saved and yet keep our reputation untarnished?" [42] And Cyrus
said, "Surely yes, for we ourselves have seen that you alone have held
your ground and been ready to fight." "But even so," said the Egyptians,
"how can we act in honour if we save ourselves?"

"By betraying none of those at whose side you fought," answered Cyrus:
"only surrender your arms to us, and become our friends, the friends of
men who chose to save you when they might have destroyed you." [43] "And
if we become your friends," said they, "how will you treat us?" "As you
treat us," answered he, "and the treatment shall be good."

"And what will that good treatment be?" they asked once more. "This,"
said Cyrus: "better pay than you have had, so long as the war lasts, and
when peace comes, if you choose to stay with me, lands and cities and
women and servants." [44] Then they asked him if he would excuse them
from one duty, service against Croesus. Croesus, they said, was the only
leader who knew them; for the rest, they were content to agree. And so
they came to terms, and took and gave pledges of good faith. [45] Thus
it came about that their descendants are to this day faithful subjects
of the king, and Cyrus gave them cities, some in the interior, which are
still called the cities of the Egyptians, beside Larissa and Kyllene and
Kyme on the coast, still held by their descendants.

When this matter was arranged darkness had already fallen, and Cyrus
drew off his army and encamped at Thymbrara.

[46] In this engagement the Egyptians alone among the enemy won
themselves renown, and of the troops under Cyrus the Persian cavalry was
held to have done the best, so much so that to this day they are still
armed in the manner that Cyrus devised. [47] High praise also was given
to the scythe-bearing chariots, and this engine of war is still employed
by the reigning king. [48] As for the camels, all they did was to scare
the horses; their riders could take no part in the slaughter, and were
never touched themselves by the enemy's cavalry. For not a horse would
come near the camels. [49] It was a useful arm, certainly, but no
gallant gentleman would dream of breeding camels for his own use or
learning to fight on camel-back. And so they returned to their old
position among the baggage-train.

[C.2] Then Cyrus and his men took their evening meal and posted their
pickets and went to rest. B