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

558 C(ENUS' RIDE.action must have been fatal to Alexander.And Porus hadsufficient horse for pursuit, and excellent for such purpose,though some part of it had been demoralized by the defeatunder Porus' son.But Porus awaited the attack which Alexanderwas always glad to make, for no one more than heknew the advantage of the offensive. This defensive attitudeof Porus was not only a piece of good luck ; it wasAlexander's salvation.Thus Alexander's decision to strike the enemy in one place,the left flank, with substantially his whole force, broughthim again into the oblique order of Epaminondas — this timeclearly by design.Riding forward then towards theright, Alexander openedthe battle at bow-shot distance by sending the Daan horsearchersupon the Indian left to engage them in front, whilehe, by a wheel to the rig^it into column and marching intheirrear, could get round to the enemy's flank with Hephsestion'sand Perdiccas' hea\y horse, and haply strike it before it couldmake dispositions to meet him. The Indian cavalry leadersdo not appear to have comprehended this manoeuvre — as Alexanderdid not intend they should — for they did not hold theirmen well in hand, and advanced far out of support of their infantryline.Coenus had now finished his circuit to the Indianright, and in the absence of the cavalry of that wing, fellsmartly upon the right and rear ofPorus' infantry, which hethrew into grave confusion, and rendered useless for the day.It is evident that he struck a hearty blow, for Porus' rightrendered absolutely no service during the battle.Then, completinghis gallant ride, with the true instinct of the beausabreiir^ Coenus galloped along the Indian rear, and rode upto join in the cavalry battle already engaged on theenemy'sleft.To oppose this new danger as well as Alexander's attack;