After listening to these proposals, they gave and accepted pledges of 1 good faith; and so the deputation rode off.  Before day they were back again in camp, and severally rendered a report to those who sent them.  At dawn Aristarchus again summoned the generals and officers, but the latter resolved to have done with the visit to Aristarchus, and to summon a meeting of the army.  In full conclave the soldiers met, with the exception of Neon’s men, who remained about ten furlongs off.  When they were met together Xenophon rose, and made the following announcement:  “Men, Aristarchus with his ships of war hinders us from sailing where we fain would go; it is not even safe to set foot on 3 board a vessel.  But if he hinders us here, he hastens us there.  ’Be off to the Chersonese,’ says he, ’force a passage through the Sacred mountain.’  If we master it and succeed in getting to that place, he has something in store for us.  He promises that he will not sell you any more, as he did at Byzantium; you shall not be cheated again; you shall have pay; he will no longer, as now, suffer you to remain in want of provisions.  That is his proposal.  But Seuthes says that if you will go to him he will treat you well.  What you have now to consider is, whether you will stay to debate this question, or leave its settlement till we have gone up into a land of provisions.  If you ask me my opinion, it is this:  Since here we have neither money to buy, nor leave to take without money what we need, why should we not go up into these villages where the right to help ourselves is conferred by might?  There, unhampered by the want of bare necessaries, you can listen to what this man and the other wants of you and choose whichever sounds best.  Let those,” he added, “who agree to this, hold up their hands.”  They all held them up.  “Retire then,” said he, “and get your kit together, and at the word of command, follow your leader.”

After this, Xenophon put himself at the head and the rest followed.  Neon, indeed, and other agents from Aristarchus tried to turn them from their purpose, but to their persuasions they turned a deaf ear.  They had not advanced much more than three miles, when Seuthes met them; and Xenophon, seeing him, bade him ride up.  He wished to tell him what they felt to be conducive to their interests, and in the presence of as many witnesses as possible.  As soon as he had approached, Xenophon said:  “We are going where the troops will have enough to live upon; when we are there, we will listen to you and to the emissaries of the Laconian, and choose between you both whatever seems best.  If then you will lead us where provisions are to be got in plenty, we shall feel indebted to you for your hospitality.”  And Seuthes answered:  “For the matter of that, I know many villages, close-packed and stocked with all kinds of provisions, just far enough 9 off to give you a good appetite for your breakfasts.”  “Lead on then!” said Xenophon.  When