When the Romans had not yet encamped before the city of Amida but were not far from its vicinity, a certain countryman, who was accustomed to enter the city secretly with fowls and loaves and many other delicacies, which he sold to this Glones at a great price, came before the general Patricius and promised to deliver into his hands Glones and two hundred Persians, if he should receive from him assurance of some requital.  And the general promised that he should have everything he desired, and thus dismissed the fellow.  He then tore his garments in a dreadful manner, and, assuming the aspect of one who had been weeping, entered the city.  And coming before Glones, and tearing his hair he said:  “O Master, I happened to be bringing in for you all the good things from my village, when some Roman soldiers chanced upon me (for, as you know, they are constantly wandering about the country here in small bands and doing violence to the miserable country-folk), and they inflicted upon me blows not to be endured, and, taking away everything, they departed,—­the robbers, whose ancient custom it is to fear the Persians and to beat the farmers.  But do you, O Master, take thought to defend yourself and us and the Persians.  For if you go hunting into the outskirts of the city, you will find rare game.  For the accursed rascals go about by fours or fives to do their robbery.”  Thus he spoke.  And Glones was persuaded, and enquired of the fellow about how many Persians he thought would be sufficient for him to carry out the enterprise.  He said that about fifty would do, for they would never meet more than five of them going together; however, in order to forestall any unexpected circumstance, it would do no harm to take with him even one hundred men; and if he should double this number it would be still better from every point of view; for no harm could come to a man from the larger number.  Glones accordingly picked out two hundred horsemen and bade the fellow lead the way for them.  But he insisted that it was better for him to be sent first to spy out the ground, and, if he should bring back word that he had seen Romans still going about in the same districts, that then the Persians should make their sally at the fitting moment.  Accordingly, since he seemed to Glones to speak well, he was sent forward by his own order.  Then he came before the general Patricius and explained everything; and the general sent with him two of his own body-guard and a thousand soldiers.  These he concealed about a village called Thilasamon, forty stades distant from Amida, among valleys and woody places, and instructed them to remain there in this ambush; he himself then proceeded to the city on the run, and telling Glones that the prey was ready, he led him and the two hundred horsemen upon the ambush of the enemy.  And when they passed the spot where the Romans were lying in wait, without being observed by Glones or any of the Persians, he roused the Romans from their ambuscade