But if we can destroy Idernes and his army, it will be long before the King of kings, who is sending all his multitudes against the Greeks, can gather another, and during this time Egypt may again become a nation and able to protect herself under Peroa her own Pharaoh." In the end I, and those who thought like me, prevailed, so that before the dawn I was sailing down the Nile with the fleet, having two thousand men under my command.

Also I took with me the six hunters whom I had won from the Great King, since I knew them to be faithful, and thought that their knowledge of the Easterns and their ways might be of service.

Our orders were to hold a certain neck of land between the river and the hills where the army of Idernes must pass, until Peroa and all his strength could attack him from behind.
Four hours later, the wind being very favourable to us, we reached that place and there took up our station and having made all as ready as we could, rested.
In the early afternoon Bes awakened me from the heavy sleep into which I had fallen, and pointed to the south.

I looked and through the desert haze saw the chariots of Idernes advancing in ordered ranks, and after them the masses of his footmen.
Now we had no chariots, only archers, and two regiments armed with long spears and swords.

Also the sailors on the boats had their slings and throwing javelins.