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Chap. L] EXPEDITION OF ALEXANDER. 31
them, and pointed to the country beyond, where new victories and rich spoils b.c. 327. awaited them. Their hearts were set on home, and they plainly declared their determination not to proceed. Even Coenus, one of the generals who stood highest in his favom-, espoused the cause of the soldiers, and delivered a speech which, if less rhetorical than that of his master, made a deeper impression, and was received with acclamations. For a time Alexander was immoveable, and declared that, even if his own countrjonen should abandon him, he would place himself at the head of his Asiatic subjects. This, however, was mere bravado ; and on finding that his Greeks were not to be worked upon, either by threats or promises, he announced his intention to return.
Late in the autumn of B.C. 327, he had retraced his steps to the Hydaspes, Alexanders and found the fleet which he had ordered to be constructed, in readiness to carry him down the stream. The voyage itself was not free from danger ; but the greatest risk which Alexander ran, was during one of the frequent descents which he made on land for the pm-pose of subjugating the adjoining territories. While storming: one of the cities of the Malli, he found himself almost alone on the rampart. He could easily have saved himself by a retrograde movement, but di.sdaining to have it said that he had tiu-ned his back, he leaped inside, and was for a time exposed to the whole fury of the defenders. Having gained a tree and placed his back against it, he made almost superhuman exertions, and kept his opponents at bay till an arrow pierced deep into his shoulder, and he fell down in a swoon. Another moment and his death was inevitable ; but the time gained by his defence had been gallantly redeemed by his troops, and seve- ral of his officers rushing in, placed their shields around him. The wound, at tirst deemed mortal, spread grief and consternation among his followers; but the vigour of his constitution and the skill of his physicians prevailed, and he was able ere long to make his appearance amid general rejoicings.
In proceeding down the river, Alexander formed his army into three divi- Descent of sions, two of which marched along the opposite bank, while the third, under his ***** '"'*™' o^vn command, kept the stream. He afterwards despatched Craterus with a thii'd of the army by an inland route across Arachosia and Drangiana to Carmania or Kerman, and proceeded with the remainder down the Indus. On arrival at Pattala, evidently the modern Tatta, situated near the apex of the delta, he remained for some time ; and, on departing, sent a body of troops to explore the adjoining coimtry, and afterwards join him at a fixed place of rendezvous. He selected the west branch of the river for the remainder of his voyage, during which his want of pilots and ignorance of navigation exposed him to serious danorer. This was not diminished but rather increased on reach- ing the estuary. Acciuainted only with tlie insignificant tides of the Meditei*- ranean, what was his astoni.shment and that of his Greeks when they beheld the magnificent tide of the Indian Ocean rushing in, and, in consequence of the sudden contraction of the opposite shores, moving rapidly along in one volume
