. [29] Then the Sakian opened his eyes and
asked whom he had hit?

"Nobody, I assure you," said Cyrus, "who is here."

"And nobody who is not, of course," said the young man.

"Oh yes, you did," answered Cyrus, "you hit that officer over there who
is riding so swiftly paste the chariot-lines."

[30] "And how is it," asked the other, "that he does not even turn his
head?"

"Half-witted, probably," said Cyrus.

Whereat the young man rode off to see who it was, and found Pheraulas,
with his chin and beard all begrimed and bloody, gore trickling from his
nostrils were the clod had struck him. [31] The Sakian cried out to know
if he was hit.

"As you see," answered Pheraulas.

"Then," said the other, "let me give you my horse."

"But why?" asked Pheraulas.

And so the Sakian had to tell him all about the matter, adding, "And
after all, you see, I did not miss a gallant fellow."

[32] "Ah," said Pheraulas, "if you had been wise, you would have chosen
a richer one; but I take your gift with all my thanks. And I pray the
gods," he added, "who let me be your target, to help me now and see that
you may never regret your gift. For the present, mount my horse yourself
and ride back; I will be with you shortly."

So they exchanged steeds and parted.

The winner of the Cadousian race was Rathines.

[33] Then followed chariot-races, tribe by tribe as before: and to all
the winners Cyrus gave goblets of price, and oxen, that they might have
the wherewithal for sacrifice and feasting. He himself took an ox for
his own meed, but he gave all the goblets to Pheraulas to show his
approval of the arrangements for the march. [34] And the manner of that
procession, then first established by Cyrus, continues to this day, the
same in all things, save that the victims are absent when there is no
sacrifice. And when it was over, the soldiers went back to the city, and
took up their quarters for the night, some in houses and some with their
regiments.

[35] Now Pheraulas had invited the Sakian who had given him the horse,
and he entertained him with the best he had, and set before him a full
board, and after they had dined he filled the goblets Cyrus had given
him, and drank to his guest, and offered them all to him. [36] And
the Sakian looked round on the rich and costly rugs, and the beautiful
furniture, and the train of servants, and cried:

"Tell me, Pheraulas, do you belong to wealthy folk at home?"

[37] "Wealthy folk in