issing them, he put them to flight, filling them, tribune and all, with
complete consternation, so that they returned to the city with greater
speed than they left it.

8. After this, Para being released from all fear, continued his
laborious and rapid journey for two days and two nights, till he reached
the Euphrates; where, for want of boats, he was unable to pass the
river, which at that place is full of strong currents and too deep to be
forded. His men, not being skilful swimmers, were afraid to trust
themselves to the stream, and he himself showed more hesitation than any
of them; indeed he would have halted there altogether, if while every
one was suggesting one plan or another, he had not at last hit upon the
following expedient, which seemed the safest in this emergency.

9. They took a number of little beds which they found in the
neighbouring houses, and supported them each on two bladders, of which
there were plenty at hand in the vineyards. And then he and his nobles
placed themselves each on a bed, leading their horses after them, and so
floated down and across the stream; by which contrivance, after extreme
danger, they at last reached the opposite bank.

10. All the rest swam their horses, and though they were terribly tossed
about and often almost sunk by the eddying stream, still, though much
exhausted by their wetting, they also reached the opposite bank; when
having rested for a short time and refreshed themselves, they proceeded
on their way, travelling further than on the previous days.

11. When this transaction became known, the emperor being greatly moved
at the king's flight, fearing he would break off his alliance, sent
Daniel and Barzimeres to bring him back; the one being a count, the
other the tribune of the Scutarii, and he placed under their command a
thousand archers prepared for a rapid march by the lightness of their
equipment.

12. These officers, trusting to their acquaintance with the country, and
feeling sure that Para, as a stranger who was not accustomed to it,
would take a roundabout way, sought to cut him off by marking a short
cut through some valleys; and having divided their forces, they
blockaded the two nearest roads, which were three miles from one
another, in order that whichever Para took he might be caught before he
expected it. But he escaped their manoeuvre in this way:--

13. A traveller who happened to be hastening towards the western bank of
the river, saw t