Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/53

Rh from acting. After a libation of gratitude to the gods, the dispositions for crossing were made. Cheirisophus was to lead the vanguard, followed by the baggage, across the ford; while Xenophon with the rearguard was to make a feint of crossing directly opposite the satrap's troops, so as to threaten them and engage their attention. This plan was carried out, and the native troops, seeing two separate forces apparently crossing, were afraid of being surrounded; and hearing the pæan and the shouts of the men under Cheirisophus, swollen by the voices of the Greek women, of whom there were a good many in the army, they were seized with panic, and retreated, leaving the other side of the river clear. Xenophon had now only to make a lively demonstration against the Kurds who had come to attack him, and on their flight he was enabled to lead his men with all speed across the true ford, and then all the Greeks were safe on the other side.

They were now on the table-lands of Armenia, and, pushing on rapidly in a north-easterly direction, soon rounded the springs of the Tigris, and, passing not far to the west of Lake Van, came in five or six days' march to a pretty stream which Xenophon calls Teleboas, the banks of which were studded with villages. Here the satrap Tiribazus came up with them, and inviting a conference with the generals, he gave them leave to pass through the country, on condition of their taking only necessary supplies, without burning the villages. They proceeded accordingly, being constantly followed by the satrap and his troops. In three days they reached the government house of