king-cups. 26. The baggage and camp-followers of the Greeks were
still in the act of crossing; and Xenophon, turning towards the
Carduchi, halted under arms over against them, and ordered the captains
to form each his own company into divisions of five and twenty men,
bringing round each division in line[202] towards the left; and he
directed both the captains, and the officers of the divisions of five
and twenty, to advance facing the Carduchi, and the rearmost to halt
facing the river.

27. The Carduchi, when they observed that the rear-guard of the
camp-followers was diminished in number, and that they seemed now indeed
to be but few, advanced at a quicker pace, singing at the same time
certain songs. Cheirisophus, when he saw that all was safe on his own
side, sent the peltasts, and the slingers and archers, to Xenophon,
desiring them to do whatsoever he should direct. 28. Xenophon, seeing
them beginning to cross, sent a messenger to desire that they should
remain by the river where they were, without crossing, and that, when
his own party should begin to cross, they should come forward into the
water on each side opposite to him, the javelin-men holding their
weapons by the thong,[203] and the archers with their arrows on the
string, as if with the intention of crossing over, but not to advance
far into the river. 29. His own men he ordered, as soon as a sling
should reach them and a shield should ring,[204] to raise the paean and
rush towards the enemy; and he directed that when the enemy should take
to flight, and the trumpeter should sound the signal of attack[205] from
the river, the rear should wheel to the right and take the lead, and
that they should then all run forward as fast as possible, and cross
over at the part where each happened to be stationed, so as not to
impede one another; telling them that he would be the best man who
should first reach the opposite side. 30. The Carduchi, seeing that
those who were left were but few, (for many even of those who had been
ordered to stay had gone away, some to take care of the cattle, some of
their baggage, and others of their mistresses,) began, in consequence,
to press forward boldly, and to use their slings and bows. 31. The
Greeks then sang the paean, and rushed upon them at full speed; and the
Barbarians did not stand their charge; for though they were well enough
equipped for a sudden onset and retreat upon the mountains, they were by
no means sufficientl