This officer rode up to the Hellenes with a body of cavalry, and sending forward an interpreter, stated that he desired a colloquy with the leaders.  The generals resolved to 5 hear what he had to say; and advancing on their side to within speaking distance, they demanded what he wanted.  He replied that he wished to make a treaty with them, in accordance with which he on his side would abstain from injuring the Hellenes, if they would not burn his houses, but merely take such provisions as they needed.  This proposal satisfied the generals, and a treaty was made on the terms suggested.

From this place they marched three stages—­fifteen parasangs—­through plain country, Tiribazus the while keeping close behind with his own forces more than a mile off.  Presently they reached a palace with villages clustered round about it, which were full of supplies in great variety.  But while they were encamping in the night, there was a heavy fall of snow, and in the morning it was resolved to billet out the different regiments, with their generals, throughout the villages.  There was no enemy in sight, and the proceeding seemed prudent, owing to the quantity of snow.  In these quarters they had for provisions all the good things there are—­sacrificial beasts, corn, old wines with an exquisite bouquet, dried grapes, and vegetables of all sorts.  But some of the stragglers from the camp reported having seen an army, and the blaze of many watchfires in the night.  Accordingly the generals concluded that it was not prudent to separate their quarters in this way, and a resolution was passed to bring the troops together again.  After that they reunited, the more so that the weather promised to be fine with a clear sky; but while they lay there in open quarters, during the night down came so thick a fall of snow that it completely covered up the stacks of arms and the men themselves lying down.  It cramped and crippled the baggage animals; and there was great unreadiness to get up, so gently fell the snow as they lay there warm and comfortable, and formed a blanket, except where it slipped off the sleepers’ shoulders; and it was not until Xenophon roused himself to get up, and, without his cloak on[1], began to split wood, that quickly first one and then another got up, and taking the log away 12 from him, fell to splitting.  Thereat the rest followed suit, got up, and began kindling fire and oiling their bodies, for there was a scented unguent to be found there in abundance, which they used instead of oil.  It was made from pig’s fat, sesame, bitter almonds, and turpentine.  There was a sweet oil also to be found, made of the same ingredients.

[1] Or, as we should say, “in his shirt sleeves.”  Doubtless he lay
    with his {imation} or cloak loosely wrapped round him; as he
    sprang to his feet he would throw it off, or it would fall off,
    and with the simple inner covering of the {khiton} to protect him,
    and arms free, he fell to chopping the wood, only half clad.