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

ALEXANDER'S CHANCES. 555to attack, and the phalanx came on at a rapid gait. Alexandergave it a breathing spell while he inspected the line,reconnoiti'ed the position of the enemy, and continued tokeep him busy by small demonstrations, pushing a few squadronsat a time up towards the Indian front, but not so faras to provoke attack. He coidd not help admiring the abilitywhich Porus had exhibited in drawing up his army, underthe conditions presented.His strength lay in his line of elephants,which the Macedonian horse would not face, andPorus knew it ; and knew, moreover, that this horse was thebody on which Alexander chiefly relied.The elephants werethe unknown quantity of the problem. Of the chariots Alexanderhad less fear. He had met them at Arbela.Alexander had advanced so as to be able to lean his rightflank constantly upon the river or the river bottom-lands.He did not propose to lose touch with his lieutenants on theother side. He saw that he must mould his own tactics tocorrespond to Porus' dispositions. He was stronger in cavalrythan the enemy, but vastly weaker in infantry. Hecould not attack in front, for it was certain that his cavalrywould not face the elephants.or coaxed up to them.The horses could not be drivenNor coxdd he resist the onset of theseand the chariots, if made in a parallel order. But as Poruswas evidently bent on fightinghad the choice ofhe shoidd attack.a defensive battle, Alexanderwhen and where he should attack, and howThe enemy promised to be a more or lessstationary mass compared with his own rapidly moving Macedonians.This was a first and great gain.With the rapidity of clear conceptions, Alexander determinedto attack the Indian flanks, the left flank in force, andto seek to grasp some advantage before any tactical manoeuvrecould be undertaken or change of formation made by the enemy.He knew full well that his army could work with thrice