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

CRATERUS LEFT BEHIND. 547selected for his crossing a spot in the river seventeen milesup the stream from his camp, where there was a headlandformed by a considerable bend in the river and a small affluent.This headland was wooded, and was ample to conceala large force. It was itself curtained by a wooded and uninhabitedisland in its front. This place Alexander connectedwith the camp by a line of posts along the river bank, whichwas the nearest road. These were so close together thatorders could be quickly signaled or conveyed from one endof the line to the other. These posts, moreover, with thesentinels calling from one to the other, the many camp-firesand the bustle and stir could be used as feints to harass theenemy, who had lost all belief in any present attempt tocross, but was still alive to the possibility of such a movement.For many nights the Macedonians made noisy demonstrationsat every place between camp and island, and lightedfires at intervals in open places as if considerable bodies oftroops were present.Having made all his secret preparations, and these wereparticularlyhastened, because Abisares was reported withinthree marches, Alexander openly planned a feint at crossingin force on boats in Porus' front, where there was a dry-seasonford.Ci'aterus was left here in the main camp, with instructionsnot actually to cross, unless Porus was beaten, or unlesshe moved away the bulk of his army, and especially the elephants,towards the island up the river. In no case wasCraterus to attempt to face the elephants ; but if they weremoved off, he was to cross in reality. The king left withCraterus the latter's own division of cavalry and some Arachotianand Parapamisadian horse, the brigades of Alcestasand Polysperchon and five thousand Indians. Attains, whoresembled the king, was arrayed in armor much like his, andinstructed to counterfeit his presence.