advanced under the trees,
not in a body, but one by one, each sheltering himself as he could. 9.
Agasias of Stymphalus, and Aristonymus of Methydria, who were also
captains of the rear-guard, with some others, were at the same time
standing behind, without the trees, for it was not safe for more than
one company to stand under them. 10. Callimachus then adopted the
following stratagem: he ran forward two or three paces from the tree
under which he was sheltered, and when the stones began to be hurled,
hastily drew back; and at each of his sallies more than ten cartloads of
stones were spent. 11. Agasias, observing what Callimachus was doing,
and that the eyes of the whole army were upon him, and fearing that he
himself might not be the first to enter the place, began to advance
alone, (neither calling to Aristonymus who was next him, nor to
Eurylochus of Lusia, both of whom were his intimate friends, nor to any
other person,) and passed by all the rest. 12. Callimachus, seeing him
rushing by, caught hold of the rim of his shield, and at that moment
Aristonymus of Methydria ran past them both, and after him Eurylochus of
Lusia, for all these sought distinction for valour, and were rivals to
one another; and thus, in mutual emulation, they got possession of the
place, for when they had once rushed in, not a stone was hurled from
above. 13. But a dreadful spectacle was then to be seen; for the women,
flinging their children over the precipice, threw themselves after them;
and the men followed their example. AEneas of Stymphalus, a captain,
seeing one of them, who had on a rich garment, running to throw himself
over, caught hold of it with intent to stop him. 14. But the man dragged
him forward, and they both went rolling down the rocks together, and
were killed. Thus very few prisoners were taken, but a great number of
oxen, asses, and sheep.

15. Hence they advanced, seven days' journey, a distance of fifty
parasangs, through the country of the Chalybes. These were the most
warlike people of all that they passed through, and came to close combat
with them. They had linen cuirasses, reaching down to the groin, and,
instead of skirts,[228] thick cords twisted. 16. They had also greaves
and helmets, and at their girdles a short faulchion, as large as a
Spartan crooked dagger, with which they cut the throats of all whom they
could master, and then, cutting off their heads, carried them away with
them. They sang and danced whe