“Let us then at once push forward as far as may seem opportune till supper-time, and then encamp.  As long as we are marching, let Timasion, with the cavalry, gallop on in front, but without losing sight of us; and let him examine all closely in front, so that nothing may escape our observation.” (At the same time too, he sent out some nimble fellows of the light-armed troops to the flanks and to the high tops, who were to give a signal if they espied anything anywhere; ordering them to burn everything inflammable which lay in their path.) “As for ourselves,” he continued, “we need not look to find cover in any direction; for it is a long step back to Heraclea and a long leap across to Chrysopolis, and the enemy is at the door.  The shortest road is to Calpe Haven, where we suppose Cheirisophus, if safe, to be; but then, when we get there, at Calpe Haven there are no vessels for us to sail away in; and if we stop here, we have not provisions for a single day.  Suppose the beleaguered Arcadians left to their fate, we shall find it but a sorry alternative to run the gauntlet with Cheirisophus’s detachment alone; better to save them if we can, and 17 with united forces work out our deliverance in common.  But if so, we must set out with minds prepared, since to-day either a glorious death awaits us or the achievement of a deed of noblest emprise in the rescue of so many Hellene lives.  Maybe it is God who leads us thus, God who chooses to humble the proud boaster, boasting as though he were exceedingly wise, but for us, the beginning of whose every act is by heaven’s grace, that same God reserves a higher grade of honour.  One duty I would recall to you, to apply your minds to the execution of the orders with promptitude.”

With these words he led the way.  The cavalry, scattering as far in advance as was prudent, wherever they set foot, set fire.  The peltasts moving parallel on the high ground were similarly employed, burning everything combustible they could discover.  While the main army, wherever they came upon anything which had accidentally escaped, completed the work, so that the whole country looked as if it were ablaze; and the army might easily pass for a larger one.  When the hour had come, they turned aside to a knoll and took up quarters; and there they espied the enemy’s watch-fires.  He was about forty furlongs distant.  On their side also they kindled as many watch-fires as possible; but as soon as they had dined the order was passed to quench all the fires.  So during the night they posted guards and slept.  But at daybreak they offered prayers to the gods, and drawing up in order of battle, began marching with what speed they might.  Timasion and the cavalry, who had the guides with them, and were moving on briskly in front, found themselves without knowing it at the very knoll upon which the Hellenes had been beleaguered.  But no army could they discover, whether of friend or foe; only some starveling old women and men, with a few sheep and oxen which had been left behind.  This news they reported to Xenophon and the main body.  At first the marvel was what had happened; but ere long they found out by inquiries from the folk who had been left behind, that the Thracians had set off immediately after sundown, and were gone; the Hellenes had waited till morning before they made off, but in what direction, they could not 23 say.