enemy, as you see, are in
possession of the pass over the mountains; and it is proper for us to
consider how we may encounter them to the best advantage. 8. It is my
opinion, therefore, that we should direct the troops to get their
dinner, and that we ourselves should hold a council, in the mean time,
whether it is advisable to cross the mountain to-day or to-morrow." 9.
"It seems best to me," exclaimed Cleanor, "to march at once, as soon as
we have dined and resumed our arms, against the enemy; for if we waste
the present day in inaction, the enemy who are now looking down upon us
will grow bolder, and it is likely that, as their confidence is
increased, others will join them in greater numbers."

10. After him Xenophon said, "I am of opinion, that if it is necessary
to fight, we ought to make our arrangements so as to fight with the
greatest advantage; but that, if we propose to pass the mountains as
easily as possible, we ought to consider how we may incur the fewest
wounds and lose the fewest men. 11. The range of hills, as far as we
see, extends more than sixty stadia in length; but the people nowhere
seem to be watching us except along the line of road; and it is
therefore better, I think, to endeavour to try to seize unobserved some
part of the unguarded range, and to get possession of it, if we can,
beforehand, than to attack a strong post and men prepared to resist us.
12. For it is far less difficult to march up a steep ascent without
fighting than along a level road with enemies on each side; and, in the
night, if men are not obliged to fight, they can see better what is
before them than by day if engaged with enemies; while a rough road is
easier to the feet to those who are marching without molestation than a
smooth one to those who are pelted on the head with missiles. 13. Nor do
I think it at all impracticable for us to steal a way for ourselves, as
we can march by night, so as not to be seen, and can keep at such a
distance from the enemy as to allow no possibility of being heard. We
seem likely, too, in my opinion, if we make a pretended attack on this
point, to find the rest of the range still less guarded; for the enemy
will so much the more probably stay where they are. 14. But why should I
speak doubtfully about stealing? For I hear that you Lacedaemonians, O
Cheirisophus, such of you at least as are of the better class,[226]
practise stealing from your boyhood, and it is not a disgrace, but an
hono