Upon hearing these words they took him to Clearchus and repeated his
 message. And when Clearchus heard it, he was exceedingly agitated
 and full of fear. A young man who was present, however,
 fell to thinking, and then said that the two stories, that they
 intended to attack and intended to destroy the bridge, were not
 consistent. For it is clear, he went on,
 that if they attack, they must either be
 victorious or be defeated. Now if they are victorious, why
 should they need to destroy the bridge? For even if there were
 many bridges, we should have no place to which we could flee and
 save ourselves. But if it is we who are victorious,
 with the bridge destroyed they will have no place to which they
 can flee. And, furthermore, though there are troops in abundance
 on the other side, no one will be able to come to their aid with
 the bridge destroyed. After hearing these words Clearchus
 asked the messenger about how extensive the territory between the
 Tigris and the canal
 was. He replied that it was a large tract, and that there were
 villages and many large towns in it. Then it was perceived that the barbarians had sent the man with a
 false message out of fear that the Greeks might destroy the bridge
 and establish themselves permanently on the island, with the Tigris
 for a defence on one side and the canal on the other; in that case,
 they thought, the Greeks might get provisions from the territory
 between the river and the canal, since it was extensive and fertile
 and there were men in it to cultivate it; and furthermore, the spot
 might also become a place of refuge for anyone who might desire to
 do harm to the King.