They then all
began to run, the rear-guard as well as the rest, and the baggage-cattle
and horses were put to their speed; 25. and when they had all arrived at
the top, the men embraced one another, and their generals and captains,
with tears in their eyes. Suddenly, whoever it was that suggested it,
the soldiers brought stones, and raised a large mound, 26. on which they
laid a number of raw ox-hides,[231] staves, and shields taken from the
enemy. The shields the guide himself hacked in pieces,[232] and exhorted
the rest to do the same. 27. Soon after, the Greeks sent away the guide,
giving him presents from the common stock, a horse, a silver cup, a
Persian robe, and ten darics;[233] but he showed most desire for the
rings on their fingers, and obtained many of them from the soldiers.
Having then pointed out to them a village where they might take up their
quarters, and the road by which they were to proceed to the Macrones,
when the evening came on he departed, pursuing his way during the night.

[Footnote 228: [Greek: Anti ton pterygon].] That this is the true sense
of this word appears from Xen. de Re Equest. 12. 4.]

[Footnote 229: Having one iron point at the upper end, as in v. 4. 12,
and no point at the lower for fixing the spear in the ground.
_Schneider_.]

[Footnote 230: The word [Greek: hieron], which precedes [Greek: oros] in
the older editions, is enclosed in brackets, as being probably spurious,
by most of the modern editors, and actually ejected by Dindorf. Yet
something seems to be wanting in connexion with [Greek: oros], for the
guide (sect. 20) says merely that he will bring them to [Greek: a
chorion], and on the fifth day after it is said that they come to _the
mountain_.]

[Footnote 231: They appear to be the hides of oxen offered up as a sort
of sacrifice to the gods. _Balfour_.]

[Footnote 232: In order, says Krueger, to render them useless, so that
they might not be carried off by any of the neighbouring people.]

[Footnote 233: i. 1. 9.]

CHAPTER VIII.

The Greeks proceed unmolested through the country of the Macrones,
and enter Colchis. Putting to flight the Colchians who obstructed
their passage, they arrive at Trebisond, a Greek city, where they
perform whatever vows they had made, and celebrate games.

1. Hence the Greeks advanced three days' journey, a distance of ten
parasangs, through the country of the Macrones. On the first day they
came to a riv