CHAPTER XXIII.

ASSAULT UPON SANGALA.

As the Indians did not run out from behind the waggons against the

advancing cavalry, but mounted upon them and began to shoot from

the top of them, Alexander, perceiving that it was not the work for

cavalry, leaped down from his horse, and on foot led the phalanx of

infantry against them. The Macedonians without difficulty forced the

Indians from the first row of waggons; but then the Indians, taking

their stand in front of the second row, more easily repulsed the

attack, because they were posted in denser array in a smaller circle.

Moreover the Macedonians were attacking them likewise in a confined

space, while the Indians were secretly creeping under the front row

of waggons, and without regard to discipline were assaulting their

enemy through the gaps left between the waggons as each man found a

chance.[705] But nevertheless even from these the Indians were forcibly

driven by the phalanx of infantry. They no longer made a stand at

the third row, but fled as fast as possible into the city and shut

themselves up in it. During that day Alexander with his infantry

encamped round the city, as much of it, at least, as his phalanx

could surround; for he could not with his camp completely encircle

the wall, so extensive was it. Opposite the part unenclosed by his

camp, near which also was a lake, he posted the cavalry, placing them

all round the lake, which he discovered to be shallow. Moreover, he

conjectured that the Indians, being terrified at their previous defeat,

would abandon the city in the night; and it turned out just as he had

conjectured; for about the second watch of the night most of them

dropped down from the wall, but fell in with[706] the sentinels of

cavalry. The foremost of them were cut to pieces by these; but the men

behind them perceiving that the lake was guarded all round, withdrew

into the city again. Alexander now surrounded the city with a double

stockade, except in the part where the lake shut it in, and round the

lake he posted more perfect guards. He also resolved to bring military

engines up to the wall, to batter it down. But some of the men in the

city deserted to him, and told him that the Indians intended that very

night to steal out of the city and escape by the lake, where the gap in

the stockade existed. He accordingly stationed Ptolemy, son of Lagus,

there, giving him three regiments of the shield-bearing guards, all

the Agrianians, and one line of archers, pointing out to him the place

where he especially conjectured the barbarians would try to force their

way. “When thou perceivest the barbarians forcing their way here,”

said he, “do thou, with the army obstruct their advance, and order

the bugler to give the signal. And do you, O officers, as soon as the

signal has been given, each being arrayed in battle order with your own

men, advance towards the noise, wherever the bugle summons you. Nor

will I myself withdraw from the action.”