Xenophon's Anabasis (Cambridge, Trinity College, MS R.9.29)

...Clearchus said only this: "Let no one of you speak of me as the one who will take on this generalship. I see many reasons why I should not do so. But I will obey the man you choose as best I can, so that you may know that I know how to be commanded just as well as any other man."

After him, another man stood up, showing the foolishness of the person who suggested asking for ships, as if Cyrus would not be making his expedition again. He showed how foolish it was to ask for a guide from the very man whose venture we are ruining. "If we are to trust any guide that Cyrus gives us, what prevents us from also asking Cyrus to let us occupy the heights in advance? For my part, I would hesitate to board any ships he might give us, for fear he might sink us with the very triremes. And I would fear following a guide he might provide, lest he lead us to a place from which it is impossible to escape. I would prefer, if I am to leave without Cyrus's consent, to leave without his knowledge, though that is impossible. But for my part, I say these suggestions are nonsense. It seems better to me that men chosen from among those fit for the task go with Clearchus to Cyrus and ask him what he intends to use us for. If the venture is similar to that for which he used mercenaries before, we should follow him and not be worse than those who went up with him before. But if the venture appears greater, more arduous, and more dangerous than the former one, we should ask him either to persuade us to follow him or to be persuaded by us to let us go in peace. For in this way, if we follow, we would be his friends and follow him with enthusiasm, and if we leave, we would leave in safety. Whatever he says in response, report it here. We will listen to this and then decide."

This was decided. They chose men and sent them with Clearchus. They asked Cyrus the questions that had been decided by the army. He replied that he had heard that Abrocomas, an enemy of his...