Anabasis | Page 8

approval; and
more than two thousand men deserted Xenias and Pasion, and took
their arms and baggage-train, and came and encamped with Clearchus.
But Cyrus, in despair and vexation at this turn of affairs, sent for
Clearchus. He refused to come; but, without the knowledge of the
soldiers, sent a message to Cyrus, bidding him keep a good heart, for
that all would arrange itself in the right way; and bade him keep on
sending for him, whilst he himself refused to go. After that he got
together his own men, with those who had joined him, and of the rest
any who chose to come, and spoke as follows: "Fellow soldiers, it is
clear that the relations of Cyrus to us are identical with ours to him. We
are no longer his soldiers, since we have ceased to follow him; and he,
on his side, is no longer our paymaster. He, however, no doubt
considers himself wronged by us; and though he goes on sending for
me, I cannot bring myself to go to him: for two reasons, chiefly from a
sense of shame, for I am forced to admit to myself that I have
altogether deceived him; but partly, too, because I am afraid of his
seizing me and inflicting a penalty on the wrongs which he conceives
11 that I have done him. In my opinion, then, this is no time for us to
go to sleep and forget all about ourselves, rather it is high time to

deliberate on our next move; and as long as we do remain here, we had
better bethink us how we are to abide in security; or, if we are resolved
to turn our backs at once, what will be the safest means of retreat; and,
further, how we are to procure supplies, for without supplies there is no
profit whatsoever in the general or the private soldier. The man with
whom we have to deal is an excellent friend to his friends, but a very
dangerous enemy to his foes. And he is backed by a force of infantry
and cavalry and ships such as we all alike very well see and know,
since we can hardly be said to have posted ourselves at any great
distance from him. If, then, any one has a suggestion to make, now is
the time to speak." With these words he ceased.
[2] Or "how he insisted that he was not going up."
Then various speakers stood up; some of their own motion to propound
their views; others inspired by Clearchus to dilate on the hopeless
difficulty of either staying, or going back without the goodwill of Cyrus.
One of these, in particular, with a make-believe of anxiety to
commence the homeward march without further pause, called upon
them instantly to choose other generals, if Clearchus were not himself
prepared to lead them back: "Let them at once purchase supplies" (the
market being in the heart of the Asiatic camp), "let them pack up their
baggage: let them," he added, "go to Cyrus and ask for some ships in
order to return by sea: if he refused to give them ships, let them
demand of him a guide to lead them back through a friendly district;
and if he would not so much as give them a guide, they could but put
themselves, without more ado, in marching order, and send on a
detachment to occupy the pass--before Cyrus and the Cilicians, whose
property," the speaker added, "we have so plentifully pillaged, can
anticipate us." Such were the remarks of that speaker; he was followed
by Clearchus, who merely said: "As to my acting personally as general
at this season, pray do not propose it: I can see numerous obstacles to
my doing so. Obedience, in the fullest, I can render to the man of 15
your choice, that is another matter: and you shall see and know that I
can play my part, under command, with the best of you."
After Clearchus another spokesman stood up, and proceeded to point

out the simplicity of the speaker, who proposed to ask for vessels, just
as if Cyrus were minded to renounce the expedition and sail back again.
"And let me further point out," he said, "what a simple-minded notion it
is to beg a guide of the very man whose designs we are marring. If we
can trust any guide whom Cyrus may vouchsafe to us, why not order
Cyrus at once to occupy the pass on our behoof? For my part, I should
think twice before I set foot on any ships that he might give us, for fear
lest he should sink them with his men-of-war; and I should equally
hesitate to follow any guide of his: he might lead us into