[1] The MSS. here read, “Up to this point the expedition was conducted
    on land, and the distance traversed on foot from the battle-field
    near Babylon down to Cotyora amounted to one hundred and
    twenty-two stages—­that is to say, six hundred and twenty
    parasangs, or eighteen thousand stades, or if measured in time, an
    eight months’ march.”  The words are probably the note of some
    editor or commentator, though it is quite likely that the author
    himself may have gone through such calculations and even have
    inserted them as a note to his text.

Here they halted forty-five days, during which they first of all sacrificed to the gods, and instituted processions, each set of the Hellenes according to their several tribes, with gymnastic contests.  Provisions they got in meanwhile, partly from Paphlagonia, partly from the estates of the Cotyorites, for the latter would neither provide them a market nor receive their sick within their walls.

Meanwhile ambassadors arrived from Sinope, full of fears, not only for the Cotyorites and their city, which belonged to Sinope, and brought in tribute, but also for the territory which, as they had heard, was being pillaged.  Accordingly they came to the camp and made a speech.  Hecatonymus, who was reported to be a clever orator, acted as their spokesman:  “Soldiers,” he said, “the city of the Sinopeans has sent us to offer you, as Hellenes, our compliments and congratulations on your victories over the barbarians; and next, to express our joyful satisfaction that you have surmounted all those terrible sufferings of which we have heard, and have reached this place in safety.  As Hellenes we claim to receive at your hands, as fellow-Hellenes, kindness and not harm.  We have certainly not ourselves set you an example heretofore of evil treatment.  Now the Cotyorites are our colonists.  It was we who gave them this country to dwell in, having 10 taken it from the barbarians; for which reason also they, with the men of Cerasus and Trapezus, pay us an appointed tribute.  So that, whatever mischief you inflict on the men of Cotyora, the city of Sinope takes as personal to herself.  At the present time we hear that you have made forcible entry into their city, some of you, and are quartered in the houses, besides taking forcibly from the Cotyorite estates whatever you need, by hook and by crook.  Now against these things we enter protest.  If you mean to go on so doing, you will drive us to make friends with Corylas and the Paphlagonians, or any one else we can find.”

To meet these charges Xenophon, on behalf of the soldiers, rose and said:  “As to ourselves, men of Sinope, having got so far, we are well content to have saved our bodies and our arms.  Indeed it was impossible at one and the same moment to keep our enemies at bay and to despoil them of their goods and chattels.  And now, since we have reached Hellenic cities, how has it fared with us?  At