ey shall see
us direct our march. 6. I think, however, Cheirisophus," continued he,
"that we ought to resist these burners, as if in defence of our own
territory." "I," replied Cheirisophus, "am of a different opinion;
rather let us burn also," said he, "and thus they will the sooner
cease."

7. When they returned to their quarters,[172] the soldiers busied
themselves about their provisions, but the generals and captains held a
council. There was now much perplexity; for on one side of them were
exceeding high mountains, and on the other a river of such depth, that,
when they sounded it, their spears did not rise above the water. 8.
While they were in doubt how to act, a Rhodian came to them, and said,
"I am willing to convey you across, O Greeks, by four thousand
heavy-armed men at a time, if you will furnish me with what I require
for the purpose, and give me a talent as a remuneration." 9. Being asked
what he should require, he replied, "I shall want two thousand hides
made into bags; and I see here many sheep, goats, oxen, and asses, the
hides of which, being blown out,[173] would easily furnish the means of
crossing. 10. I shall want also the ropes which you use for the
baggage-cattle; joining, with these, the bags to one another, steadying
each bag by attaching stones to it, letting the stones down like anchors
into the water, extending the bags across the stream, and securing them
to both banks, I will then lay wood upon them, and strew earth over the
wood. 11. That you will not sink, you will at once see; for each skin
will prevent two men from sinking, and the wood and earth will keep them
from slipping off." 12. The generals, on hearing this proposal, thought
the invention ingenious, but the execution of it impossible, for there
were numerous cavalry on the other side to hinder their passage, who, at
the commencement, would not have allowed the first that made the attempt
to effect their purposes.

13. The next day they retreated back towards Babylon, to some unburnt
villages, having first set fire to those which they abandoned; so that
the enemy did not come up to them, but watched them, and seemed to be
wondering which way the Greeks would turn themselves, and what they had
in their mind. 14. The rest of the soldiers then turned their thoughts
to getting supplies; but the generals and captains held another council,
and, bringing together the prisoners, questioned them as to the whole
country around, what e