按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
summon those who were still behind。 ＇54＇ When all had started； he
despatched gallopers to Chrysantas to tell him that the whole army was
now under way； and that he might lead on as quick as he could。 ＇55＇
Then he galloped to the front himself； reined up； and quietly watched
the ranks defile before him。 Whenever a division advanced silently and
in good order； he would ride up and ask their names and pay them
compliments； and if he saw any sign of confusion he would inquire the
reason and restore tranquillity。 ＇56＇ One point remains to add in
describing his care that night； he sent forward a small but picked
body of infantry； active fellows all of them； in advance of the whole
army。 They were to keep Chrysantas in sight； and he was not to lose
sight of them； they were to use their ears and all their wits； and
report at once to Chrysantas if they thought there was any need。 They
had an officer to direct their movements； announce anything of
importance； and not trouble about trifles。
＇57＇ Thus they pressed forward through the night； and when day broke
Cyrus ordered the mass of the cavalry to the front； the Cadousians
alone remaining with their own infantry； who brought up the rear； and
who were as much in need as others of cavalry support。 But the rest of
the horsemen he sent ahead because it was ahead that the enemy lay；
and in case of resistance he was anxious to oppose them in battle…
order； while if they fled he wished no time to be lost in following up
the pursuit。 ＇58＇ It was always arranged who were to give chase and
who were to stay with himself： he never allowed the whole army to be
broken up。 ＇59＇ Thus Cyrus conducted the advance； but it is not to be
thought that he kept to one particular spot； he was always galloping
backwards and forwards； first at one point and then at another；
supervising everything and supplying any defect as it arose。 Thus
Cyrus and his men marched forward。
＇C。4＇ Now there was a certain officer in the cavalry with Gadatas； a
man of power and influence； who； when he saw that his master had
revolted from Assyria； thought to himself； 〃If anything should happen
to him； I myself could get from the king all that he possessed。〃
Accordingly he sent forward a man he could trust； with instructions
that； if he found the Assyrian army already in the territory of
Gadatas； he was to tell the king that he could capture Gadatas and all
who were with him； if he thought fit to make an ambuscade。 ＇2＇ And the
messenger was also to say what force Gadatas had at his command and to
announce that Cyrus was not with him。 Moreover； the officer stated the
road by which Gadatas was coming。 Finally； to win the greater
confidence； he sent word to his own dependents and bade them deliver
up to the king of Assyria the castle which he himself commanded in the
province； with all that it contained： he would come himself； he added；
if possible； after he had slain Gadatas； and； even if he failed in
that； he would always stand by the king。
＇3＇ Now the emissary rode as hard as he could and came before the king
and told his errand； and； hearing it； the king at once took over the
castle and formed an ambuscade； with a large body of horse and many
chariots； in a dense group of villages that lay upon the road。 ＇4＇
Gadatas； when he came near the spot； sent scouts ahead to explore； and
the king； as soon as he sighted them； ordered two or three of his
chariots and a handful of horsemen to dash away as though in flight；
giving the impression that they were few in number and panic…stricken。
At this the scouting party swept after them； signalling to Gadatas；
who also fell into the trap and gave himself up to the chase。
The Assyrians waited till the quarry was within their grasp and then
sprang out from their ambuscade。 ＇5＇ The men； with Gadatas； seeing
what had happened； turned back and fled； as one might expect； with the
Assyrians at their heels； while the officer who had planned it all
stabbed Gadatas himself。 He struck him in the shoulder； but the blow
was not mortal。 Thereupon the traitor fled to the pursuers； and when
they found out who he was he galloped on with them； his horse at full
stretch； side by side with the king。 ＇6＇ Naturally the men with the
slower horses were overtaken by the better mounted； and the fugitives；
already wearied by their long journey； were at the last extremity when
suddenly they caught sight of Cyrus advancing at the head of his army；
and were swept into safety； as glad and thankful； we may well believe；
as shipwrecked mariners into port。
＇7＇ The first feeling of Cyrus was sheer astonishment； but he soon saw
how matters stood。 The whole force of the Assyrian cavalry was rolling
on him； and he met it with his own army in perfect order； till the
enemy； realising what had happened； turned and fled。 Then Cyrus
ordered his pursuing party to charge； while he followed more slowly at
the pace he thought the safest。 ＇8＇ The enemy were utterly routed：
many of the chariots were taken； some had lost their charioteers；
others were seized in the sudden change of front； others surrounded by
the Persian cavalry。 Right and left the conquerors cut down their
foes； and among them fell the officer who had dealt the blow at
Gadatas。 ＇9＇ But of the Assyrian infantry； those who were besieging
the fortress of Gadatas escaped to the stronghold that had revolted
from him； or managed to reach an important city belonging to the king；
where he himself； his horsemen； and his chariots had taken refuge。
＇10＇ After this exploit Cyrus went on to the territory of Gadatas； and
as soon as he had given orders to those who guarded the prisoners； he
went himself to visit the eunuch and see how it was with him after his
wound。 Gadatas came out to meet him； his wound already bandaged。 And
Cyrus was gladdened and said； 〃I came myself to see how it was with
you。〃 ＇11＇ 〃And I；〃 said Gadatas； 〃heaven be my witness； I came out to
see how a man would look who had a soul like yours。 I cannot tell what
need you had of me； or what promise you ever gave me； to make you do
as you have done。 I had shown you no kindness for your private self：
it was because you thought I had been of some little service to your
friends； that you came to help me thus； and help me you did； from
death to life。 Left to myself I was lost。 ＇12＇ By heaven above； I
swear it； Cyrus； if I had been a father as I was born to be； God knows
whether I could have found in the son of my loins so true a friend as
you。 I know of sonsthis king of ours is such an one； who has caused
his own father ten thousand times more trouble than ever he causes
you。〃
＇13＇ And Cyrus made answer：
〃You have overlooked a much more wonderful thing； Gadatas； to turn and
wonder at me。〃
〃Nay；〃 said Gadatas； 〃what could that be？〃
〃That all these Persians；〃 he answered； 〃are so zealous in your
behalf； and all these Medes and Hyrcanians； and every one of our
allies； Armenians； Sakians； Cadousians。〃
＇14＇ Then Gadatas prayed aloud：
〃O Father Zeus； may the gods heap blessings on them also； but above
all on him who has made them what they are！ And now； Cyrus； that I may
entertain as they deserve these men