Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/399

369 THE FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE SEA 369

for this he had come, and not out of the good-will he bore the Hellenes.

On the fifth day they reached the mountain, the name of which was Theches. No sooner had the men in front ascended it and caught sight of the sea than a great cry arose, and Xenophon, with the rearguard, catching the sound of it, conjectured that another set of enemies must surely be attacking in front ; for they were followed by the inhabitants of the country, which was all aflame ; indeed the rearguard had killed some and captured others alive by laying an ambuscade ; they had taken also about twenty wicker shields, cov- ered with the raw hides of shaggy oxen.

But as the shout became louder and nearer, and those who from time to time came up began racing at the top of their speed towards the shouters, and the shouting continually recommenced with yet greater volume as the numbers increased, Xenophon settled in his mind that something extraordinary must have happened, so he mounted his horse, and taking with him Lycius and the cavalry, he galloped to the rescue. Presently they could hear the soldiers shouting and passing on the joyful word. The sea ! the sea !

Thereupon they began running, rearguard and all, and the baggage animals and horses came galloping up. But when they had reached the summit, then in- deed they fell to embracing one another, — generals and officers and all, — and the tears trickled down their cheeks. And on a sudden, some one, whoever it was, having passed dowm the order, the soldiers began bringing stones and erecting a great cairn, whereon they dedicated a host of untanned skins, and staves, and captured wicker shields, and with his own hand the guide hacked the shields to pieces, inviting the