wounded with them, for they were unbroken.

At the foot of the slope they reformed and took counsel, then sat down
out of bowshot as though to rest. Now I guessed their plan. It was to
wait till night closed in, which would be soon for the sun was
sinking, and then, when we could not see to shoot, either rush through
us by the weight of numbers, or march back to where the cliffs were
lower and climb them, thus passing us on the higher open land.

Now we also took counsel, though little came of it, since we did not
know what to do. We were too few to attack so great an army, nor if we
climbed the cliffs could we hope to withstand them in the desert
sands, or to hold our own against them if they charged in the dark. If
this happened it seemed that all we could do would be to fight as long
as we could, after which the survivors of us must take refuge on our
boats. So it came to this, that we should lose the battle and the
greater part of the Easterns would win back to Sais, unless indeed the
main army under Peroa came to our aid.

Whilst we talked I caused the wounded to be carried to the ships
before it grew too dark to move them. Bes went with them. Presently he
returned, running swiftly.

"Master," he said, "the evening wind is blowing strong and stirs the
sand, but from a mast-head through it I caught sight of Peroa's
banners. The army comes round the bend of the river not four furlongs
away. Now charge and those Easterns will be caught between the hammer
and the stone, for while they are meeting us they will not look
behind."