Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

ALEXANDER'S WOUNDS. 243were determined to drive the Macedonians back into theriver ; the Macedonians to win a footing- on the bank. Havingcast all their javelins, the Orientals fell to with theircurved swords. The fighting was furious. The bravest andstoutest bit the dust. The white plumes waved everywhere." Enyalius " ! resounded above the din. Finally, under theking's magnificent gallantry, the cornel-wood spears of theMacedonians bore down thelighter weapons of the Persians,and the landing of Alexander's immediate command waseffected.Alexander ran great personal risk in the combat at thispoint. He broke his own spear in the conflict, borrowed anotherfrom a Companion, and slew Mithridates, son-in-law ofDarius, who was rushing at him with a chosen body formedlike a wedge. He received at the same time a blow with ascimitar in the hands of Rhoisakes, brother of Mithridates,which cut away part of his helmet, but he slew the prince withhis spear. He was always in the thickest of the fray. Spithridates,from behind, rushed upon him with uplifted weapon,and but for the aid of swarthy Clitus, whose sword severedthe Persian's arm, he would not have escaped a grievouswound or death. He was the centre for all to rally on.Nothing but Alexander's irrepressible courage could haveheld the Companions to their work. According to Diodorus,he received two body-wounds and one in the head.Having thus pushed his van forward, the rest of the rightwing was gradually enabled to cross. The cavalry of the lefthad forced a passage below, where the opposition was lessdetermined, and was getting in on the Persian right flank.The Macedonians struck at the faces of the foe with theirspears, and at their horses. The light-armed troops, mixedwith the cavalry, did great execution upon the Persians.Theenemy broke first where the king fought in the right wing.