In front of them were the so-called scythe-bearing chariots, at some
 distance from one another; and the scythes they carried reached out
 sideways from the axles and were also set under the chariot bodies,
 pointing towards the ground, so as to cut to pieces whatever they
 met; the intention, then, was that they should drive into the ranks
 of the Greeks and cut the troops to pieces. As for the statement, however, which Cyrus made
 when he called the Greeks together and urged them to hold out
 against the shouting of the barbarians, he proved to be mistaken in
 this point; for they came on, not with shouting, but in the utmost
 silence and quietness, with equal step and slowly. At this moment
 Cyrus rode along the line, attended only by
 Pigres, his interpreter, and three or four others, and shouted to
 Clearchus to lead his army against the enemy’s centre, for the
 reason that the King was stationed there; and
 if, he said, we are victorious there,
 our whole task is accomplished. Clearchus, however, since he saw the compact body at the enemy’s
 centre and heard from Cyrus that the King was
 beyond his left wing (for the King was so superior in numbers that,
 although occupying the centre of his own line, he was beyond
 Cyru s’ left wing), was unwilling to draw
 the right wing away from the river, for fear that he might be turned
 on both flanks; and he told Cyrus , in reply,
 that he was taking care to make everything go well. At this critical time the King’s army
 was advancing evenly, while the Greek force, still remaining in the
 same place, was forming its line from those who were still coming
 up. And Cyrus , riding along at some distance
 from his army, was taking a survey, looking in either direction,
 both at his enemies and his friends.