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

CHORIENES SURRENDERS. 605trestle-woik of covered galleries, the whole army working atit,one half by day, under superintendence of Alexander, andthe other half in three watches by night, under the somatophylaxesPerdiecas, Leonnatus, and Ptolemy, son ofLagus.With all their efforts, but thirty feet could be built duringthe day ; at night the stint was less. In the narrowest partof the ravine they drove piles, close enough tosustain greatweight. On these they constructed a sort of bridge of hurdles,woven of willows and osiers, and this was covered withearth. The barbarians began by deriding these efforts ; butwhen they saw the structure rise, and covered in such a mannerwith screens and roofs, that, although below them, theycould not harm the Macedonians ; while these, from enginesand with bows and slings, covered them with missiles, —which, being of better material and construction, killed andwounded many, — they changed their tone. Chorienes sentto Alexander, asking that he might see and consult his ancientally, Oxyartes.This was granted, and Oxyartes, quotinghis own case as example, so entirely impressed Chorieneswith the idea of Alexander's justice, as well as his abilityto do anything he set his hand to, that Chorienes concludedto surrender. He came to Alexander, who received him withthe utmost kindness, entertained him in his own tent, andsent messengers to receive the surrender.Next day the king,accompanied by five hundred hypaspists, inspected the rockand fortress. So large a store of victuals had Chorienes inthis fastness, that he was able for a period oftwo months toration Alexander's entire army, giving them corn, saltmeat,and wine ; and this consumed but a tenth part of the storeslaitl up in the rock. The aid was opportune, for Alexanderwas sadly lacking in supplies, and during the siege muchsnow had fallen, making the hardships of the operation excessive.Alexander made Chorienes his friend, and contin-