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

278 A RUSE.was hewn in the rock along one side of the steep wall,and was commanded by yet higher rocks on both sides ofgorge, and within arrow-shot. Beyond the defile lay astrongly fortified town. On reaching the defile, Alexanderfound that the rocks on both sides commanding the road hadbeen occupied by a considerable body of mountaineers. Heat once made preparations to go into camp, rightly arguingthat this act would lead the barbarians to suppose that hethewould not attack the defile that night.The ruse had its naturaleffect. It was the same Epaminondas had practiced atMantinsea. The bulk of the enemy retired to the city whichlay beyond, leaving but a slender guard on duty in the gorge,which in its turn became somewhat careless of its work. Theking, watching his opportunity with his wonted restless eye,no sooner ascertained this fact than he took his archers, javelinthrowers and hypaspists, marched with the utmost cautionto that part of the defile which the enemy had chosen fordefense, and fell vnth great audacity upon this guard. Surprisedand unable to withstand the heavier missiles of theMacedonians, the enemy was driven headlong from his foothold.This opened the pass. The king at once moved uphis army and went actually into camp near the city gates.Here he received an embassy from Selge, a town whose inhabitantswere at enmity with the Termessians, and wereaccordingly glad to assist the Greeks. Alexander made atreaty with Selge, to which that city remained steadily faithful.But as Termessus promised to give trouble and wastemuch time in its capture, he blockaded and passed it by, ashe had Syllium and several other places, and, no doubt leavinga suitable detachment to hold the defile, marched on toSagalassus.This was a city whose inhabitants were called the most warlikeof all the Pisidians, themselves a race of marked courage