Book 5
3.11
Now tell me this, said Cyrus, in regard to the fort which stands upon the frontier of the country and which you say was built to serve as a base of operations against the Hyrcanians and the Sacians and an outwork to protect this country in time of war—do you think that the eunuch, if he went there with his army, would be admitted by the commandant? Yes; certainly he would, said Gobryas, if he came to him as unsuspected as he now is.
3.12
Then, answered Cyrus, if I should make an attack on his fortifications as if I wished to gain possession of them, while he defended himself with all his might; and if I should take something of his and he in turn should capture either some of our other men or some of the messengers I send to those who, you say, are enemies of the Assyrian king; and if these captives should say that they had come out to get an army and ladders to use against the fortress; and if then the eunuch, on hearing this, should pretend that he had come to give warning; under these conditions, he would be unsuspected.
3.13
Under such circumstances, answered Gobryas, the commandant would certainly admit him—aye, and would beg him to remain there until you went away. Well then, said Cyrus, if he could but once get in, he would be in a position to put the fort in our hands?
3.14
That is at all events probable, answered Gobryas, if he were within, helping with the preparations, while you on the outside made a vigorous attack. In that case, Cyrus replied, go and try to explain these plans to him and win his cooperation and then return. And no better assurance of our good faith could you give him in word or deed than to show him what you happen to have received at our hands.
