were piled;[124]
and the generals and captains assembled were about a hundred in all. The
time when the meeting took place was about midnight.

34. Hieronymus, a native of Elis, the oldest of all the captains that
had served under Proxenus, was the first to speak, as follows: "It has
seemed proper to us, O generals and captains, on contemplating the
present state of our affairs, to meet together ourselves, and to call
upon you to join us, that we may determine, if we can, on some plan for
our benefit. But do you, Xenophon, first represent to the assembly what
you have already observed to us." 35. Xenophon accordingly said, "We are
all aware that the king and Tissaphernes have made prisoners of as many
of us as they could; and it is evident that they are forming designs
against the rest of us, that they may put us to death if they can. But
on our parts I think that every means should be adopted in order that we
may not fall into the Barbarians' hands, but rather that they, if we can
accomplish it, may fall into ours. 36. Be well assured, then, that you,
who have now met together in such numbers, have upon you a most
important responsibility;[125] for all the soldiers look to you, and, if
they see you dispirited, they will themselves lose courage, but if both
you yourselves appear well prepared to meet the enemy, and exhort others
to be equally prepared, be certain that they will follow you, and strive
to imitate you. 37. Perhaps, too, it is right that you should show some
superiority over them; for you are their generals, their officers, and
their captains, and, when there was peace, you enjoyed advantages over
them in fortune and honour; and now, in consequence, when war arises,
you ought to prove yourselves pre-eminent over the multitude, and to
take the lead in forming plans for them, and, should it ever be
necessary, in toiling for them. 38. And, in the first place, I think
that you will greatly benefit the army, if you take care that generals
and captains be chosen as soon as possible in the room of those whom we
have lost; for without commanders nothing honourable or advantageous can
be achieved, I may say in one word, anywhere, but least of all in the
field of battle. Good order conduces to safety, but want of order has
already proved fatal to many. 39. Again, when you have appointed as many
commanders as are requisite, I consider that if you were to assemble
and encourage the rest of the soldiers, you would act v