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

634 A MOUND.Wherever there was timber, the rough frame-work could beput together in a few hours. It is evident that Alexanderhad mountain-batteries, so to speak, which could be carriedeven on the backs of men where pack animals could not go.And it is also evident that these engines were as effectiveagainst the defenses of that time as our modern guns are againstthose of to-day. Their utility was abundantly demonstratedin the passage of rivers as well as in sieges.For three days Alexander continued this work, and madeconsiderable progress in the mound. As usual the king waseverywhere and harder at work than any of his men, directing,encouraging, reproving and lending a hand. On thefourth day a small party of Macedonians made their wayover the mound and the rest of the ravine to an eminencewhich was on a level with the fortress, and drove thedefendersfrom it. Some of the authorities state that the fight herewas bitter, and that Alexander headed the agema in order tosecure the eminence. Having done so, he now aimed themound towards this height, which was for him the keypoint ; for its elevation would enable him to use his .fire toadvantage. The height was reached on the sixth day fromthe start, after great effort and continuous labor.The Indians, astonished before, were now dazed at theaudacity and skill of the Macedonians and the manner inwhich they made vain all the natural obstacles of the mountains,driven on by thenever-flagging energy and matchlessskiU of Alexander. They sent to the king, and asked for atruce, agreeing to surrender on stated terms. Their honestyAlexander mistrusted, but he accepted the terms. He soondiscovered, however, that the barbarians proposed, by delayingthe ratification, to gain time to scatter and escape insquads to the plain, and to their several cities, instead ofsurrenderingthemselves as agreed. He proposed to checkmate