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

272 LYCTA.were cut off, these brave people organized themselves into aforloi^n hope, fired their city and household treasures, andactually made their way by stealth through the Macedoniancamj), and escaped to the mountains.With whatsoever prideand admiration we watch our hero's progress, it gives uspleasure to see an occasional act of signal bravery like thisone meet with a less bitter than the usual fate.Though the mid-winter season was very unfavorable, Alexanderpursued his advance — probably up the Xanthus, andmarched into Milyas on the headwaters of this river. Tohim here came embassies from Phaselis and 'nearly all thecoast towns, offering, in token of surrender and greeting,golden crowns and presents, for the news of his liberal treatmentof those who did not oppose him had preceded him, andacted as an open sesame. These embassies Alexander receivedwith honor, and bade each accept the regent he shouldsend to represent him.As a rule, in all the important towns which the king captured,or which submitted to his arms, a few Macedonianswere left behind as the nucleus of a garrison, generallywounded or disabled or invalided men who had earned a rightto easier duties than those in the field, but who were still ableto leaven the lump by their skill and fidelity. If the townwas important or the population hostile, a larger garrison wasleft ; but even a few Macedonians, under a good chief, inpossession of the citadel of a town, could hold their own withthe aid of the mercenaries, with whom they increased theirforce up to a figure sufficiently high.From Milyas Alexander proceeded to Phaselis, perhaps themost important ofthose cities which had surrendered to him.It lay at the foot of Mount Climax, and possessed three fineharbors and an ample roadway.It was powerful and wealthy.From Phaselis there ran over the mountain ranges the prin-