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

654 PORUS' LINE OF BATTLE.lands, where the ground was level, harder than near the river,and fit for manoeuvring elephants, chariots and cavalry, hehalted, and drew up his army in line ofbattle.In this he showed considerable skill. In first line werethe elephants, one hundred feetapart, covering the entire infantrybody, which thus presented a front of about four miles.Porus expected by means of these animals to intimidate thehorses of Alexander's cavalry, and prevent them from attackingwith any kind of vim ; while the elephant-drivers couldwheel their animals right and left and trample down the Macedonianinfantry which might push into the intervals.TheIndian infantry was in second line close behind the line ofelephants, in companies of one hiuidred and fifty strongsupportingeach one, ready to fill the gaps between them whennecessary, and to attack the Macedonian foot if it should advanceso far. Small columns of foot flanked the elephants.Two thousand Indian cavalry was on each extreme flank, andin the front of the cavalry of each flank one hundred and fiftychariots. This was the Indian fashion, as it was much theusual habit elsewhere in the East. The chariots were drawnby fourhorses, and contained each two mailed drivers, twoheavily armed men, and two archerscarrying the long bowsof the country. The infantry carried this long bow as well,and shot three-foot arrows ;bow on thebut having to rest the end of theground as they shot, they were not rapid in theirfire.When Alexander arrived near the place where Porus'army was drawn up in line, he found that he must holdhimself by manoeuvring with his cavalry whilehe waited forhis infantry to come up. His position was precarious in theextreme. An immediate advance by Porus might have seriouslycompromised him, with only his cavalry and no supports.It was Alexander's good luck that Porus declined