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The Babylonians, seeing a Persian of such exalted rank in so
grievous a plight, his nose and ears cut off, his body red with marks
of scourging and with blood, had no suspicion but that he spoke the
truth, and was really come to be their friend and helper. They were
ready, therefore, to grant him anything that he asked; and on his
suing for a command, they entrusted to him a body of troops, with the
help of which he proceeded to do as he had arranged with Darius. On
the tenth day after his flight he led out his detachment, and
surrounding the thousand men, whom Darius according to agreement had
sent first, he fell upon them and slew them all. Then the
Babylonians, seeing that his deeds were as brave as his words, were
beyond measure pleased, and set no bounds to their trust. He waited,
however, and when the next period agreed on had elapsed, again with a
band of picked men he sallied forth, and slaughtered the two thousand.
After this second exploit, his praise was in all mouths. Once more,
however, he waited till the interval appointed had gone by, and then
leading the troops to the place where the four thousand were, he put
them also to the sword. This last victory gave the finishing stroke to
his power, and made him all in all with the Babylonians: accordingly
they committed to him the command of their whole army, and put the keys
of their city into his hands.
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