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

A DANGEROUS WOUND. 605wall, had begun to get to the top, and one by one leapedwithin, and surrounded the now lifeless body of Alexander.Others forced an entrance through one of the gates, and flewto the rescue.Their valor was as irresistible as their numberwas small.The Indians could in no wise resist their terribleonset, their war-cry doubly fierce from rage at the fate of theirbeloved king, to them in truth a demi-god. They were drivenfrom the spot, and Alexander was borne back to the camp.So enraged were the Macedonians at the wounding of theirking, whom they believed to be mortally struck, that theyspared neither man, woman nor child in the town.Alexander's wound was indeed grave, but hisgood constitutionand robust health helped him, and under the care ofCritodemus of Cos he recovered, much to the joy of his army.While his life was despaired of, a greatdeal of uncertaintyand fear as to their situation must have prevailed, for Alexanderwas the centre-point, the motive power, the balancewheel of the entire body. Without him what coidd they do ?How ever again reach their homes ? Every man felt that noone except the king could lead them, and how much less inretreat than in advance !At the upper camp at the confluence ofthe Hydaspes andAcesines, from which Alexander had started, saysArrian, itwas thought forsome days that Alexander was really dead,and that his captains were concealing the fact. Bad newsspreads fast. The lower camp caught alarm. This threatenedto give rise to lack of discipline from very fear. Andhere again I cannot refrain from quoting from Arrian :—" When Alexander became acquainted with this, for fearsome attempt at a revolution might be made inthe army, hehad himself conveyed, as soon as it could be done with safety,to the bank of the river Hydraotis, and placed in a boat tosail down the river. For the camp was at the confluence of