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Behind the tall grasses to the south of the path, a small Trojan patrol was deployed single-file and prone. To the north, there was a Greek patrol, hidden in the rocks. Both awaited a rumoured messenger, who would likely be carrying secret dispatches. They waited in the still air of mid-morning. The early summer heat was oppressive. Cicadas generated their incessant chorus.
At length the lookouts heard footsteps below them on the path. When they had spotted the bobbing head of the messenger, their signals caused both patrols to set out to reach the best ambush point, where the path narrowed to pass between two rocks on the Northern Height some some three or four stadia ahead. They chose routes on which they could move as quickly and silently as possible, without being noticed by the messenger.
The Greeks took care to time their steps with those of the messenger when they encountered gravelly ground where their steps might be heard. They also took a way which they expected to allow them to pass a side-track ahead of the messenger, to avoid the possibility that he might notice them if he looked left at that point.
The Trojans moved cautiously at first, to avoid obvious disturbance or rustling in the tall grasses. But soon they reached a narrow but well-trodden path parallel to the main one. This allowed much swifter travel. They arrived first at the place of ambush. Their leader made a bird-call. This was soon followed by a similar call from the other side of the path. Both patrols waited in silence. But there was no sight nor sound of the messenger.
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