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

THE ARMY STARTS. 619through a desert where it was doubtful whether it could renderany aid to the fleet ; the bold seamen might disappearinto unknown seas, and liever again be heard from. Botharmy and fleet were forlorn hopes. It is hard to say whichwas the more inhospitable, the shores along which Nearchuswas to sail, where alone dwelt the Ichthyophagi, or the broilingsands of the Gedrosian desert, never yet crossed by abody of men. The boldness of Nearchus' voyage is extraordinary.He had, measured by his exploit, very poor vesselsat command. He had naught but sun and stars to tell himhis direction. He must land each night on a shore ill-conditionedby nature and dangerous perhaps from its population.His vessels could carry but small supplies. He mightsail into seas and guHs out of which he could never find hisway, or whose coasts would afford him neither food nor water.Nearchus undertook this peril at Alexander's behest. Thissurely looks less like greed of conquest than the true discoverer'sinstinct.Alexander was the first to start.It was the close of summer.He marched with the army from Patala by way of his depotat Minagara, and in nine days reached the Arabius, about onehundred miles from the Indus. Himself with Leonnatus andPtolemy commanded the three columns of marcli. The troopswere one half the targeteers and archers, the phalanx, exceptwhat marched with Craterus, the agema of Companion cavalry,a squadron from each cavalry regiment and the horsebowmen.These three columns kept near the coast and, onthe way, dug wells in all the large coves from which the fleetmight get water, when it should sail by. These wells weremarked in such a manner as to be easily found. Hephaestionfollowed with the main army on a line farther inland. Thisdivision of forces was made in order to cover as wide a spaceas possible, and pick up as many of the barbarians as should