nswered he, "for you, God helping you, have
brought it to me. You must know," he added, "that I set great store by
this fortress, and rejoice to leave it in the hands of my allies here.
And for yourself, Gadatas," he added, "if the Assyrian has robbed you of
the ability to beget children, remember he has not stolen your power to
win friends; you have made us yours, I tell you, by this deed, and we
will stand by as faithfully as sons and grandsons of your own."

[20] So Cyrus spoke. And at that instant the Hyrcanian chief, who had
only just learnt what had happened, came running up to him, and seizing
him by the hand cried out:

"O Cyrus, you godsend to your friends! How often you make me thank the
gods for bringing me to you!"

[21] "Off with you, then," said Cyrus, "and occupy this fortress for
which you bless me so. Take it and make the best use of it you can, for
your own nation, and for all our allies, and above all for Gadatas, our
friend, who won it and surrenders it to us."

[22] "Then," said the chieftain, "as soon as the Cadousians arrive and
the Sakians and my countrymen, we must, must we not? call a council of
them all, so that we may consult together, and see how best to turn it
to account."

[23] Cyrus thought the proposal good, and when they met together it was
decided to garrison the post with a common force, chosen from all who
were concerned that it should remain friendly and be an outer balwark to
overawe the Assyrians. [24] This heightened the enthusiasm of them all,
Cadousians, Sakians, and Hyrcanians, and their levies rose high, until
the Cadousians sent in 20,000 light infantry and 4000 cavalry, and
the Sakians 11,000 bowmen, 10,000 on foot and 1000 mounted, while the
Hyrcanians were free to despatch all their reserves of infantry and make
up their horsemen to a couple of thousand strong, whereas previously
the larger portion of their cavalry had been left at home to support the
Cadousians and Sakians against Assyria.

[25] And while Cyrus was kept in the fortress, organising and arranging
everything, many of the Assyrians from the country round brought in
their horses and handed over their arms, being by this time in great
dread of their neighbours.

[26] Soon after this Gadatas came to Cyrus and told him that messengers
had come to say that the king of Assyria, learning what had happened to
the fortress, was beside himself with anger, and was preparing to attack
his territory. "If you, Cy