scouts ahead of you, disguised as a band of
robbers. If they should come across any Armenians they can either make
them prisoners and prevent them from spreading the news, or at least
scare them out of the way, so that they will not realise the whole of
your force, and only take measures against a pack of thieves. [24] That
is your task, Chrysantas, and now for mine. At break of day I shall take
half the foot and all the cavalry and march along the level straight to
the king's residence. If he resists, we must fight, if he retreats
along the plain we must run him down, if he makes for the mountains, why
then," said Cyrus, "it will be your business to see that none of your
visitors escape. [25] Think of it as a hunt: we down below are the
beaters rounding up the game, and you are the men at the nets: only bear
in mind that the earths must all be stopped before the game is up, and
the men at the traps must be hidden, or they will turn back the flying
quarry. [26] One last word, Chrysantas: you must not behave now as I
have known you do in your passion for the chase: you must not sit up the
whole night long without a wink of sleep, you must let all your men have
the modicum of rest that they cannot do without. [27] Nor must you--just
because you scour the hills in the hunt without a guide, following the
lead of the quarry and that alone, checking and changing course wherever
it leads you--you must not now plunge into the wildest paths: you must
tell your guides to take you by the easiest road unless it is much the
longest. [28] In war, they say, the easiest way is the quickest. And
once more, because you can race up a mountain yourself you are not to
lead on your men at the double; suit your pace to the strength of all.
[29] Indeed, it were no bad thing if some of your best and bravest were
to fall behind here and there and cheer the laggards on: and it would
quicken the pace of all, when the column has gone ahead, to see them
racing back to their places past the marching files."

[30] Chrysantas listened, and his heart beat high at the trust reposed
in him. He took the guides, and gave the necessary orders for those who
were to march with him, and then he lay down to rest. And when all his
men had had the sleep he thought sufficient he set out for the hills.
[31] Day dawned, and Cyrus sent a messenger to the Armenian with these
words: "Cyrus bids you see to it that you bring your tribute and troops
without delay." "And if