Chapter 6

When a week had passed, on the eighth day Xenophon delivered over the guide (that is to say, the village headman) to Cheirisophus. He left the headman's household safe behind in the village, with the exception of his son, a lad in the bloom of youth. This boy was entrusted to Episthenes of Amphipolis to guard; if the headman proved himself a good guide, he was to take away his son also at his departure. They finally made his house the repository of all the good things they could contrive to get together; then they broke up their camp and commenced to march, the headman guiding them through the snow unfettered. When they had reached the third stage Cheirisophus flew into a rage with him, because he had not brought them to any villages. The headman pleaded that there were none in this part. Cheirisophus struck him, but forgot to bind him, and the end of it was that the headman ran away in the night and was gone, leaving his son behind him. This was the sole ground of difference between Cheirisophus and Xenophon during the march, this combination of ill-treatment and neglect in the case of the guide. As to the boy, Episthenes conceived a passion for him, and took him home with him, and found in him the most faithful of friends.

After a week had passed, Xenophon handed the guide over to Cheirisophus on the eighth day. The guide was the village headman. Xenophon left the headman’s household safe in the village, except for his son, a boy in the bloom of youth. The boy was placed in the care of Episthenes of Amphipolis. If the headman proved to be a good guide, he could take his son with him when he left. Finally, they stored in his house all the good things they could gather. Then they broke camp and began to march. The headman guided them through the snow without being bound. At the third stage of the march, Cheirisophus became furious with the headman for not bringing them to any villages. The headman said there were none in that area. Cheirisophus struck him but forgot to bind him. As a result, the headman ran away during the night, leaving his son behind. This was the only disagreement between Cheirisophus and Xenophon during the march. It concerned the mistreatment and neglect of the guide. Episthenes fell in love with the boy and took him home, where the boy proved to be a most faithful friend.

After this they marched seven stages at the rate of five parasangs a day, to the banks of the river Phasis¹, which is a hundred feet broad: and thence they marched another couple of stages, ten parasangs; but at the pass leading down into the plain there appeared in front of them a mixed body of Chalybes and Taochians and Phasianians. When Cheirisophus caught sight of the enemy on the pass at a distance of about three or four miles, he ceased marching, not caring to approach the enemy with his troops in column, and he passed down the order to the others: to deploy their companies to the front, that the troops might form into line. As soon as the rearguard had come up, he assembled the generals and officers, and addressed them: "The enemy, as you see, are in occupation of the mountain pass, it is time we should consider how we are to make the best fight to win it. My opinion is, that we should give orders to the troops to take their morning meal, whilst we deliberate whether we should cross the mountains to-day or to-morrow." "My opinion," said Cleanor, "is, that as soon as we have breakfasted, we should arm for the fight and attack the enemy, without loss of time, for if we fritter away to-day, the enemy who are now content to look at us, will grow bolder, and with their growing courage, depend upon it, others more numerous will join them."

After this, they marched for seven stages, covering five parasangs a day. They reached the banks of the river Phasis¹, which is a hundred feet wide. From there they marched another two stages, covering ten parasangs. But at the pass leading down into the plain, a mixed force of Chalybes, Taochians, and Phasianians appeared before them. Cheirisophus saw the enemy on the pass, about three or four miles away. He stopped marching because he did not want to approach them with his troops in column. He sent orders to the others to deploy their companies facing forward, so the troops could form a line. As soon as the rearguard caught up, he gathered the generals and officers and addressed them: "As you can see, the enemy holds the mountain pass. It is time to consider how best to fight our way through it. I think we should order the troops to eat their morning meal. Meanwhile, we can decide whether to cross the mountains today or tomorrow." "My opinion," said Cleanor, "is that we should arm ourselves and attack the enemy as soon as we have eaten breakfast. We should not waste any time. If we waste today, the enemy, who are now content to watch us, will grow bolder. As their courage grows, you can be sure that more of them will join them."

After him Xenophon spoke: "This," he said, "is how I see the matter; if fight we must, let us make preparation to sell our lives dearly, but if we desire to cross with the greatest ease, the point to consider is, how we may get the fewest wounds and throw away the smallest number of good men. Well then, that part of the mountain which is visible stretches nearly seven miles. Where are the men posted to intercept us? except at the road itself, they are nowhere to be seen. It is much better to try if possible to steal a point of this desert mountain unobserved, and before they know where we are, secure the prize, than to fly at a strong position and an enemy thoroughly prepared. Since it is much easier to march up a mountain without fighting than to tramp along a level when assailants are at either hand; and provided he has not to fight, a man will see what lies at his feet much more plainly even at night than in broad daylight in the midst of battle; and a rough road to feet that roam in peace may be pleasanter than a smooth surface with the bullets whistling about your ears². Nor is it so impossible, I take it, to steal a march, since it is open to us to go by night, when we cannot be seen, and to fall back so far that they will never notice us. In my opinion, however, if we make a feint of attacking here, we shall find the mountain chain all the more deserted elsewhere, since the enemy will be waiting for us here in thicker swarm.

After him Xenophon spoke: "This is how I see the matter. If we must fight, let us prepare to sell our lives dearly. But if we want to cross as easily as possible, we must consider how to suffer the fewest wounds and lose the fewest good men. "The visible part of the mountain stretches nearly seven miles. Where are the men posted to block us? They can be seen only at the road itself. It is much better to try to slip unnoticed onto an unguarded part of the mountain. If possible, we should secure it before the enemy knows where we are. That is better than attacking a strong position held by a fully prepared enemy. "It is much easier to climb a mountain without fighting than to march on level ground with attackers on both sides. And as long as a man does not have to fight, he can see the ground beneath his feet better at night than in broad daylight during a battle. A rough road may be pleasanter to walk on in peace than a smooth one with bullets whistling about your ears². "Nor do I think it is impossible to slip past the enemy. We can travel at night, when they cannot see us, and move far enough back that they will never notice us. In my opinion, if we pretend to attack here, we shall find even fewer men elsewhere on the mountain chain. For the enemy will be waiting for us here in greater numbers.

"But what right have I to be drawing conclusions about stealing in your presence, Cheirisophus? for you Lacedaemonians, as I have often been told, you who belong to the 'peers,' practise stealing from your boyhood up; and it is no disgrace but honourable rather to steal, except such things as the law forbids; and in order, I presume, to stimulate your sense of secretiveness, and to make you master thieves, it is lawful for you further to get a whipping if you are caught. Now then you have a fine opportunity of displaying your training. But take care we are not caught stealing over the mountain, or we shall catch it ourselves." "For all that," retorted Cheirisophus, "I have heard that you Athenians are clever hands at stealing the public moneys; and that too though there is a fearful risk for the person so employed; but, I am told, it is your best men who are addicted to it; if it is your best men who are thought worthy to rule. So it is a fine opportunity for yourself also, Xenophon, to exhibit your education." "And I," replied Xenophon, "am ready to take the rear division, as soon as we have supped, and seize the mountain chain. I have already got guides, for the light troops laid an ambuscade, and seized some of the cut-purse vagabonds who hung on our rear. I am further informed by them that the mountain is not inaccessible, but is grazed by goats and cattle, so that if we can once get hold of any portion of it, there will be no difficulty as regards our animals—they can cross. As to the enemy, I expect they will not even wait for us any longer, when they once see us on a level with themselves on the heights, for they do not even at present care to come down and meet us on fair ground." Cheirisophus answered: "But why should you go and leave your command in the rear? Send others rather, unless a band of volunteers will present themselves." Thereupon Aristonymus the Methydrian came forward with some heavy infantry, and Nicomachus the Oetean with another body of light troops, and they made an agreement to kindle several watch-fires as soon as they held the heights. The arrangements made, they breakfasted; and after breakfast Cheirisophus advanced the whole army ten furlongs closer towards the enemy, so as to strengthen the impression that he intended to attack them at that point.

"But what right do I have to draw conclusions about stealing in your presence, Cheirisophus? I have often heard that you Lacedaemonians who belong to the 'peers' practice stealing from boyhood. Stealing is no disgrace for you, but honorable, except when you steal things the law forbids. And if you are caught, the law allows you to be whipped. I suppose that encourages you to be secretive and makes you master thieves. Now you have a fine chance to show your training. But take care we are not caught stealing over the mountain, or we will get a whipping ourselves." "Even so," Cheirisophus retorted, "I have heard that you Athenians are clever at stealing public money. And you do it even though the person who steals it runs a terrible risk. But I am told that your best men do it, if your best men are the ones thought worthy to rule. So you too have a fine chance to show your education, Xenophon." "And I," Xenophon replied, "am ready to take the rear division and seize the mountain chain after we have eaten. I already have guides. Our light troops set an ambush and caught some of the thieving vagabonds who had been following our rear. They tell me the mountain is not impossible to climb. Goats and cattle graze there, so if we can seize any part of it, our animals can cross without difficulty. As for the enemy, I expect they will not even wait for us once they see us on the heights, level with them. Even now, they do not care to come down and meet us on equal ground." Cheirisophus answered: "But why should you go and leave your command in the rear? Send others instead, unless a group of volunteers comes forward." Then Aristonymus the Methydrian came forward with some heavy infantry, and Nicomachus the Oetean with another group of light troops. They agreed to light several watch-fires once they held the heights. After making these arrangements, they ate breakfast. Then Cheirisophus moved the whole army ten furlongs closer to the enemy. This made it seem even more likely that he intended to attack them there.

But as soon as they had supped and night had fallen, the party under orders set off and occupied the mountain, while the main body rested where they were. Now as soon as the enemy perceived that the mountain was taken, they banished all thought of sleep, and kept many watch-fires blazing throughout the night. But at break of day Cheirisophus offered sacrifice, and began advancing along the road, while the detachment which held the mountain advanced pari passu by the high ground. The larger mass of the enemy, on his side, remained still on the mountain-pass, but a section of them turned to confront the detachment on the heights. Before the main bodies had time to draw together, the detachment on the height came to close quarters, and the Hellenes were victorious and gave chase. Meanwhile the light division of the Hellenes, issuing from the plain, were rapidly advancing against the serried lines of the enemy, whilst Cheirisophus followed up with his heavy infantry at quick march. But the enemy on the road no sooner saw their higher division being worsted than they fled, and some few of them were slain, and a vast number of wicker shields were taken, which the Hellenes hacked to pieces with their short swords and rendered useless. So when they had reached the summit of the pass, they sacrificed and set up a trophy, and descending into the plain, reached villages abounding in good things of every kind.

After supper, when night had fallen, the men ordered to take the mountain set out and occupied it. The main body rested where they were. As soon as the enemy saw that the mountain had been taken, they gave up all thought of sleep. They kept many watch fires burning throughout the night. At daybreak, Cheirisophus offered a sacrifice and began advancing along the road. The detachment holding the mountain advanced at the same pace along the high ground. Most of the enemy remained at the mountain pass, but some turned to confront the detachment on the heights. Before the main bodies could meet, the detachment on the heights engaged the enemy. The Hellenes won and gave chase. Meanwhile, the Hellenes' light troops came out of the plain and advanced rapidly against the enemy's tightly packed ranks. Cheirisophus followed with his heavy infantry, marching quickly. But as soon as the enemy on the road saw their forces on the heights losing, they fled. A few were killed, and the Hellenes captured a vast number of wicker shields. They hacked the shields to pieces with their short swords, making them useless. When the Hellenes reached the summit of the pass, they offered a sacrifice and set up a trophy. Then they descended into the plain and reached villages filled with good things of every kind.