e the suggestions that he offered; but
after him Clearchus spoke as follows:

15. "Let no one of you mention me, as likely to undertake this command;
for I see many reasons why I ought not to do so; but be assured, that
whatever person you may elect, I shall pay the greatest possible
deference to him, that you may see that I know how to obey as well as
any other man."

16. After him another arose, who pointed out the folly of him who
advised them to ask for ships, just as if Cyrus were not about to sail
back,[38] and who showed, too, how foolish it would be to request a
guide of the very person "whose plans," said he, "we are frustrating.
And," he added, "if we should trust the guide that Cyrus might assign
us, what will hinder Cyrus from giving orders to occupy the heights
before we reach them? 17. For my own part, I should be reluctant to
embark in any vessel that he might grant us, lest he should send us and
the galleys to the bottom together; I should also be afraid to follow
any guide that he may appoint, lest he should conduct us into places,
from whence there would be no means of escape; and I had rather, if I
depart without the consent of Cyrus, depart without his knowledge; but
this is impossible. 18. I say then that such proposals are absurdities;
and my advice is, that certain persons, such as are fit for the task,
should accompany Clearchus to Cyrus, and ask him in what service he
wishes to employ us; and if the undertaking be similar to that in which
he before employed foreign troops,[39] that we too should follow him,
and not appear more cowardly than those who previously went up with him.
19. But if the present design seem greater and more difficult and more
perilous than the former, that they should ask him, in that case, either
to induce us to accompany him by persuasion, or, yielding himself to our
persuasions, to give us a passage to a friendly country; for thus, if we
accompany him, we shall accompany him as friends and zealous supporters,
and if we leave him, we shall depart in safety; that they then report to
us what answer he makes to this application; and that we, having heard
his reply, take measures in accordance with it."

20. These suggestions were approved; and, having chosen certain persons,
they sent them with Clearchus to ask Cyrus the questions agreed upon by
the army. Cyrus answered, that he had heard that Abrocomas, an enemy of
his, was on the banks of the Euphrates, twelve days' mar