The next day it was resolved that they should set off with all 1 possible speed, before the enemy had time to collect and occupy the defile.  Having got their kit and baggage together, they at once began their march through deep snow with several guides, and, crossing the high pass the same day on which Tiribazus was to have attacked them, got safely into cantonments.  From this point they marched three desert stages—­fifteen parassangs—­to the river Euphrates, and crossed it in water up to the waist.  The sources of the river were reported to be at no great distance.  From this place they marched through deep snow over a flat country three stages—­fifteen parasangs[1].  The last of these marches was trying, with the north wind blowing in their teeth, drying up everything and benumbing the men.  Here one of the seers suggested to them to do sacrifice to Boreas, and sacrifice was done.  The effect was obvious to all in the diminished fierceness of the blast.  But there was six feet of snow, so that many of the baggage animals and slaves were lost, and about thirty of the men themselves.

[1] Al. “ten,” al. “five.”

They spent the whole night in kindling fire; for there was fortunately no dearth of wood at the halting-place; only those who came late into camp had no wood.  Accordingly those who had arrived a good while and 5 had kindled fires were not for allowing these late-comers near the fires, unless they would in return give a share of their corn or of any other victuals they might have.  Here then a general exchange of goods was set up.  Where the fire was kindled the snow melted, and great trenches formed themselves down to the bare earth, and here it was possible to measure the depth of the snow.

Leaving these quarters, they marched the whole of the next day over snow, and many of the men were afflicted with “boulimia” (or hunger-faintness).  Xenophon, who was guarding the rear, came upon some men who had dropt down, and he did not know what ailed them; but some one who was experienced in such matters suggested to him that they had evidently got boulimia; and if they got something to eat, they would revive.  Then he went the round of the baggage train, and laying an embargo on any eatables he could see, doled out with his own hands, or sent off other able-bodied agents to distribute to the sufferers, who as soon as they had taken a mouthful got on their legs again and continued the march.

On and on they marched, and about dusk Cheirisophus reached a village, and surprised some women and girls who had come from the village to fetch water at the fountain outside the stockade.  These asked them who they were.  The interpreters answered for them in Persian:  “They were on their way from the king to the satrap;” in reply to which the women gave them to understand that the satrap was not at home, but was away a parasang farther on.  As it was late they entered with the water-carriers within the stockade to visit the headman of the village.  Accordingly Cheirisophus and as many of the troops as were able got into cantonments there, while the rest of the soldiers—­those namely who were unable to complete the march—­had to spend the night out, without food and without fire; under the circumstances some of the men perished.