And," said Hystaspas, "I took refuge in a fit of coughing myself, for really I could not have controlled my laughter.
There, Cyrus," said he, "that is a specimen of our new comrades, as nearly as I can draw his portrait." [6] The description, as may be guessed, was greeted with shouts of laughter, and then another brigadier took up the word: "Well, Cyrus," said he, "our friend here has certainly met with an absolute boor: my own experience is somewhat different.

You remember the admonitions you gave us when you dismissed the regiments, and how you bade each of us instruct his own men in the lessons we had learnt from you.

Well, I, like the rest of us, went off at once and set about instructing one of the companies under me.

I posted the captain in front with a fine young fellow behind him, and after them the others in the order I thought best; I took my stand facing them all, and waited, with my eyes fixed on the captain, until I thought the right moment had come, and then I gave the order to advance.

[7] And what must my fine fellow do but get in front of the captain and march off ahead of the whole troop.