uished legions: and on that of the
enemy, one of their chief nobles named Bineses, and three other satraps
of note.

14. So peace was made for thirty years, and ratified by solemn oaths;
and we, returning by another line of march, because the parts near the
river were rugged and difficult, suffered severely for want of water and
provisions.

VIII.

Sec. 1. The peace which had been granted on pretence of humanity was turned
to the ruin of many who were so exhausted by want of food as to be at
the last gasp, and who in consequence could only creep along, and were
either carried away by the current of the river from not being able to
swim, or if able to overcome the force of the stream so far as to reach
the bank, were either slain like sheep by the Saracens or Persians
(because, as we stated some time back, the Germans had driven them out),
or sent to a distance to be sold for slaves.

2. But when the trumpets openly gave the signal for crossing the river,
it was dreadful to see with what ardour every individual hastened to
rush into this danger, preferring himself to all his comrades, in the
desire of avoiding the many dangers and distresses behind him. Some
tried to guide the beasts who were swimming about at random, with
hurdles hurriedly put together; others, seated on bladders, and others,
being driven by necessity to all kinds of expedients, sought to pass
through the opposing waves by crossing them obliquely.

3. The emperor himself with a few others crossed over in the small
boats, which we said were saved when the fleet was burnt, and then sent
the same vessels backwards and forwards till our whole body was brought
across. And at length all of us, except such as were drowned, reached
the opposite bank of the river, being saved amid our difficulties by the
favour of the Supreme Deity.

4. While we were still oppressed with the fear of impending disasters,
we learnt from information brought in by our outposts that the Persians
were throwing a bridge over the river some way off, at a point out of
our sight, in order that while all ideas of war were put an end to on
our side by the ratification of the treaty of peace, they might come
upon our invalids as they proceeded carelessly onwards, and on the
animals exhausted with fatigue. But when they found their purpose
discovered, they relinquished their base design.

5. Being now relieved from this suspicion, we hastened on by rapid
marches, and approached Hat