This resolution was passed, and they sent Hieronymus an Eleian, with two others, Eurylochus an Arcadian and Philesius an Achaean, to deliver the message.  So these set off on their errand.  But while the soldiers were still seated in conclave, Coeratadas, of Thebes, 33 arrived.  He was a Theban not in exile, but with a taste for generalship, who made it his business to see if any city or nation were in need of his services.  Thus, on the present occasion, he presented himself, and begged to state that he was ready to put himself at their head, and lead them into the Delta of Thrace[2], as it is called, where they would find themselves in a land of plenty; but until they got there, he would provide them with meat and drink enough and to spare.  While they were still listening to this tale, the return message from Anaxibius came.  His answer was:  “The discipline, they had spoken of, was not a thing they would regret; indeed he would report their behaviour to the authorities at home; and for himself, he would take advice and do the best he could for them.”

[2] The exact locality, so called, is not known; doubtless it lay
    somewhere between Byzantium and Salmydessus, possibly at Declus
    (mod.  Derkos); or possibly the narrow portion of Thrace between
    the Euxine, Bosphorus, and Propontis went by this name.  See note
    in Pretor ad. loc., and “Dict.  Geog.”  “Thracia.”

Thereupon the soldiers accepted Coeratadas as their general, and retired without the walls.  Their new general undertook to present himself to the troops next day with sacrificial beasts and a soothsayer, with eatables also and drinkables for the army.  Now, as soon as they were gone out, Anaxibius closed the gates and issued a proclamation to the effect that “any of the soldiers caught inside should be knocked down to the hammer and sold at once.”  Next day, Coeratadas arrived with the victims and the soothsayer.  A string of twenty bearers bearing barleymeal followed at his heels, succeeded by other twenty carrying wine, and three laden with a supply of olives, and two others carrying, the one about as much garlic as a single man could lift, and the other a similar load of onions.  These various supplies he set down, apparently for distribution, and began to sacrifice.

Now Xenophon sent to Cleander, begging him to arrange matters so that he might be allowed to enter the walls, with a view to starting from Byzantium on his homeward voyage.  Cleander came, and this is what he 39 said:  “I have come; but I was barely able to arrange what you want.  Anaxibius insisted:  ’It was not convenient that Xenophon should be inside while the soldiers are close to the walls without; the Byzantines at sixes and sevens moreover; and no love lost between the one party of them and the other.’  Still, he ended by bidding you to come inside, if you were really minded to leave the town by sea with himself.”  Accordingly Xenophon bade the soldiers good-bye, and returned with Cleander within the walls.