CHAPTER XXVIII.

ALEXANDER RESOLVES TO RETURN.

When Coenus had concluded this speech, loud applause was given to his

words by those who were present; and the fact that many even shed

tears, made it still more evident that they were disinclined to incur

further hazards, and that return would be delightful to them. Alexander

then broke up the conference, being annoyed at the freedom of speech

in which Coenus indulged, and the hesitation displayed by the other

officers. But the next day he called the same men together again in

wrath, and told them that he intended to advance farther, but would

not force any Macedonian to accompany him against his will; that he

would have those only who followed their king of their own accord; and

that those who wished to return home were at liberty to return and

carry back word to their relations that they were come back, having

deserted their king in the midst of his enemies. Having said this, he

retired into his tent, and did not admit any of the Companions on that

day, or until the third day from that, waiting to see if any change

would occur in the minds of the Macedonians and Grecian allies, as is

wont to happen, as a general rule among a crowd of soldiers, rendering

them more disposed to obey. But on the contrary, when there was a

profound silence throughout the camp, and the soldiers were evidently

annoyed at his wrath, without being at all changed by it, Ptolemy, son

of Lagus, says that he none the less offered sacrifice there for the

passage of the river, but the victims were unfavourable to him when he

sacrificed. Then indeed he collected the oldest of the Companions and

especially those who were friendly to him, and as all things indicated

the advisability of returning, he made known to the army that he had

resolved to march back again.