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

620 A HUGE SKIRMISH LINE.scatter towards the desert. The Arabitians dwelt on thehither side of the river Arabius (Purali), and the Oritianson the farther side. Neither had sent ambassadors to sue forfriendship, which neglect, in Alexander's code, at once placedthese tribes in the rank of his enemies. The Arabitians, onlearning of the approach of the Macedonians, fled towardsthe desert as had been anticipated. The Oritians Alexanderreached in one night's march across a desert stretch beyondthe Arabius. He divided his cavalry into detachments byOritian Campaign.squadrons, and sent these out at given distances from eachother like a huge skirmish line, in order to cover a large partof the plain, the cavalry advance being sustained by theinfantryin closer order. He thus speedily covered the entireterritory of the Oritians. This was an odd mancEuvre, butwell adapted to the conditions, which, after all said, is alwaysthe test. This was not the age of the new military art, norwas the division of an army subject to the grave dangeragainst the barbarians, which it would be to-day againstcivilized nations. A small force of the well-armed and perfectlydisciplined Macedonians was equal to a horde of thesenomads.The inhabitants were sold as slaves and the land waswasted wherever he met resistance, and finding the capital