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exposed outpost； on the contrary； presents to the broad eye of day its
dangers and also its weaknesses。＇16＇ Besides which； the holder of a
concealed outpost can always place a few exposed vedettes beyond his
hidden pickets； and so endeavour to decoy the enemy into an ambuscade。
Or he may play the part of trapper with effect by placing a second
exposed outpost in rear of the other； a device which may serve to take
in the unwary foeman quite as well as that before named。
＇16＇ Lit。 〃makes plain its grounds of terror as of confidence。〃
Indeed I take it to be the mark of a really prudent general never to
run a risk of his own choosing； except where it is plain to him
beforehand； that he will get the better of his adversary。 To play into
the enemy's hands may more fitly be described as treason to one's
fellow…combatants than true manliness。 So； too； true generalship
consists in attacking where the enemy is weakest； even if the point be
some leagues distant。 Severity of toil weighs nothing in the scale
against the danger of engaging a force superior to your own。＇17＇
Still； if on any occasion the enemy advance in any way to place
himself between fortified points that are friendly to you； let him be
never so superior in force； your game is to attack on whichever flank
you can best conceal your advance； or； still better； on both flanks
simultaneously； since； while one detachment is retiring after
delivering its attack； a charge pressed home from the opposite quarter
cannot fail to throw the enemy into confusion and to give safety to
your friends。
＇17＇ N。B。 Throughout this treatise the author has to meet the case of
a small force of cavalry acting on the defensive。
How excellent a thing it is to endeavour to ascertain an enemy's
position by means of spies and so forth； as in ancient story； yet best
of all； in my opinion； is it for the commander to try to seize some
coign of vantage； from which with his own eyes he may descry the
movements of the enemy and watch for any error on his part。＇18＇
＇18＇ As； e。g。 Epaminondas at Tegea。 See 〃Hell。〃 VII。 v。 9。
Whatever may be snatched by ruse； thief fashion；＇19＇ your business is
to send a competent patrol to seize； or again where capture by coup de
main＇20＇ is practicable； you will despatch a requisite body of troops
to effect a coup de main。 Or take the case： the enemy is on the march
in some direction； and a portion of his force becomes detached from
his main body or through excess of confidence is caught straggling； do
not let the opportunity escape； but make it a rule always to pursue a
weaker with a stronger force。＇21＇ These； indeed； are rules of
procedure； which it only requires a simple effort of the mind to
appreciate。 Creatures far duller of wit than man have this ability：
kites and falcons； when anything is left unguarded； pounce and carry
it off and retire into safety without being caught； or wolves； again；
will hunt down any quarry left widowed of its guard； or thieve what
they can in darksome corners。＇22＇ In case a dog pursues and overtakes
them； should he chance to be weaker the wolf attacks him； or if
stronger； the wolf will slaughter＇23＇ his quarry and make off。 At
other times； if the pack be strong enough to make light of the
guardians of a flock； they will marshal their battalions； as it were；
some to drive off the guard and others to effect the capture； and so
by stealth or fair fight they provide themselves with the necessaries
of life。 I say； if dumb beasts are capable of conducting a raid with
so much sense and skill； it is hard if any average man cannot prove
himself equally intelligent with creatures which themselves fall
victims to the craft of man。
＇19＇ e。g。 defiles； bridges； outposts； stores； etc。
＇20＇ e。g。 a line of outposts； troops in billets or bivouac； etc。
＇21＇ 〃It is a maxim； the quarry should be weaker than the pursuer。〃
＇22＇ Zeune cf。 Ael。 〃N。 A。〃 viii。 14； on the skill of wolves in
hunting。
＇23＇ For ｛aposphaxas｝ Courier suggests ｛apospasas｝； 〃dragging off what
he can。〃
V
Here is another matter which every horseman ought to know； and that is
within what distance a horse can overhaul a man on foot； or the
interval necessary to enable a slower horse to escape one more fleet。
It is the business rather of the cavalry general to recognise at a
glance the sort of ground on which infantry will be superior to
cavalry and where cavalry will be superior to infantry。 He should be a
man of invention； ready of device to turn all circumstances to
account； so as to give at one time a small body of cavalry the
appearance of a larger； and again a large the likeness of a smaller
body； he should have the craft to appear absent when close at hand；
and within striking distance when a long way off； he should know
exactly not only how to steal an enemy's position； but by a master
stroke of cunning＇1＇ to spirit his own cavalry away； and； when least
expected； deliver his attack。 Another excellent specimen of
inventiveness may be seen in the general's ability； while holding a
weak position himself； to conjure up so lively an apprehension in the
enemy that he will not dream of attacking； or conversely； when； being
in a strong position himself； he can engender a fatal boldness in the
adversary to venture an attack。 Thus with the least cost to yourself；
you will best be able to catch your enemy tripping。
＇1＇ Or； 〃sleight of hand〃； and for ｛kleptein｝ = escamoter see 〃Anab。〃
IV。 vi。 11； 15； V。 vi。 9。
But to avoid suspicion of seeming to prescribe impossible feats； I
will set down； in so many words； the procedure in certain crucial
instances。
The best safeguard against failure in any attempt to enforce pursuit
or conduct a retreat lies in a thorough knowledge of your horse's
powers。＇2＇ But how is this experience to be got？ Simply by paying
attention to their behaviour in the peaceable manouvres of the sham
fight； when there is no real enemy to intervenehow the animals come
off； in fact； and what stamina they show in the various charges and
retreats。
＇2＇ ｛empeiria｝； 〃empirical knowledge。〃
Or suppose the problem is to make your cavalry appear numerous。 In the
first place； let it be a fundamental rule； if possible； not to attempt
to delude the enemy at close quarters； distance； as it aids illusion；
will promote security。 The next point is to bear in mind that a mob of
horses clustered together （owing perhaps to the creatures' size