n the enemy were likely to see them. They
carried also a spear of about fifteen cubits in length, having one
spike.[229] 17. They stayed in their villages till the Greeks had
passed by, when they pursued and perpetually harassed them. They had
their dwellings in strong places, in which they had also laid up their
provisions, so that the Greeks could get nothing from that country, but
lived upon the cattle which they taken from the Taochi.

18. The Greeks next arrived at the river Harpasus, the breadth of which
was four plethra. Hence they proceeded through the territory of the
Scythini, four days' journey, making twenty parasangs, over a level
tract, until they came to some villages, in which they halted three
days, and collected provisions. 19. From this place they advanced four
days' journey, twenty parasangs, to a large, rich, and populous city,
called Gymnias, from which the governor of the country sent the Greeks a
guide, to conduct them through a region at war with his own people. 20.
The guide, when he came, said that he would take them in five days to a
place whence they should see the sea; if not, he would consent to be put
to death. When, as he proceeded, he entered the country of their
enemies, he exhorted them to burn and lay waste the lands; whence it was
evident that he had come for this very purpose, and not from any good
will to the Greeks. 21. On the fifth day they came to the mountain;[230]
and the name of it was Theches. When the men who were in the front had
mounted the height, and looked down upon the sea, a great shout
proceeded from them; 22. and Xenophon and the rear-guard, on hearing it,
thought that some new enemies were assailing the front, for in the rear,
too, the people from the country that they had burnt were following
them, and the rear-guard, by placing an ambuscade, had killed some, and
taken others prisoners, and had captured about twenty shields made of
raw ox-hides with the hair on. 23. But as the noise still increased, and
drew nearer, and as those who came up from time to time kept running at
full speed to join those who were continually shouting, the cries
becoming louder as the men became more numerous, it appeared to
Xenophon that it must be something of very great moment. 24. Mounting
his horse, therefore, and taking with him Lycius and the cavalry, he
hastened forward to give aid, when presently they heard the soldiers
shouting, "The sea, the sea!" and cheering on one another.