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

CHARGE THROUGH THE CENTRE. 381assistance, and they all but rescued the family of Darius.These, however, wisely refused to be carried off, feeling nomanner of personal safety in the wild turmoil outside thecamp.The second line, which Alexander had posted in rear ofthe left wing with orders to face to the rear if necessary, nowcame into play. Sitalces, Coeranus, Agatho, Andromachuswere not the men to stand about idle. So soon as they sawthe danger, wheeling about their squadrons, they gallo])edtothe rescue, fell sharply on the rear of the enemy and drovehim off in wild confusion, killing and capturing men wholesale.What was left of these squadrons rode back the waythey had come.This special danger seemed to be averted.But a more threatening danger was at hand.At the timethis irruption was at its height, Mazaeus, commanding thePersian right, with theArmenian and Cappadocian cavalryof that wing, perceiving the effect ofthe charge through theMacedonian centre, and thinking to clinch the matter hereand now, ployed his men into a heavy column and rode downupon theMacedonian left flank with a concentrated energywhich threatened to overwhelm the entire force under Parmenio.Happily Alexander's Thessalians were here. Asproud oftheir record and as stanch as the Companions themselves,these splendid squadrons, anxious not to be left outof the fray, wheeled to the left, received Mazaius half waywith a counter charge, and as at Issus, by dint of hardknocks and clean-cut purpose, held the gallant Persian, despitehis utmost efforts, from passing the limit they drew tohis advance.The situation w^as curious. On the Macedonian rightMenidas, Aristo and Aretes were stillstrugghng manfully tosave the army from the furious and constantly repeated assaultsof Bessus. Alexander's wedge had just aimed its