This long line of followers should give an impression of vast numbers, allow our own men opportunity for ambuscades, and force the enemy, if he try to surround us, to widen his circuit, and the wider he makes it the weaker he will be.

[31] That, then, is your business; and you, gentlemen, Artaozus and Artagersas, each of you take your thousand foot and guard the baggage.

[32] And you, Pharnouchus and Asiadatas, neither of you must lead your thousand horse into the fighting-line, you must get them under arms by themselves behind the carriages: and then come to me with the other officers as fully-equipt as if you were to be the first to fight.

[53] You, sir, who command the camel-corps will take up your post behind the carriages and look for further orders to Artagersas.

[34] Officers of the war-chariots, you will draw lots among yourselves, and he on whom the lot falls will bring his hundred chariots in front of the fighting-line, while the other two centuries will support our flanks on the right and left." [35] Such were the dispositions made by Cyrus; but Abradatas, the lord of Susa, cried: "Cyrus, let me, I pray you, volunteer for the post in front." [36] And Cyrus, struck with admiration for the man, took him by the hand, and turning to the Persians in command of the other centuries said: "Perhaps, gentlemen, you will allow this ?" But they answered that it was hard to resign the post of honour, and so they all drew lots, and the lot fell on Abradatas, and his post was face to face with the Egyptians.