25 WESTERN II I N D O O S T A N. 



fea iiiterfedted by numbers of unnavigable channels and creeks. 

 The ides formed by thefe, were the Injulce fobs of Mela^ 

 bb. ii. c. II, contra Indio'^'vx, ** fatal," fays he, " to all that enter 

 " them, by reafon of the violent heat of the air." There is not, 

 at prefent, in all India., a place more fatal to Europeans. Pattala 

 was the firft Indian emporivmi frequented by the Roman: \ but 

 the palTage from the Red fea was greatly infefted with pirates, 

 for which reafon the lliips always took on board a certain 

 number of archers for their defence^'. 

 Vast Tides. The tide comes up witli a vaft bore or head, and is very dan- 



gerous, at certain tim.es, to velTels which are in its way. The 

 fleet of Alexander., when he had arrived near the month of the 

 river, was furprized with one of thefe bores, and loft great 

 numbers of fliips. Thofe which lay on the land banks were 

 fwept away by the fury of the tide; thofe which were in the 

 channel, on the mud, received no injury, but were fet afloat t. 



The mention of this, occalions me to return to the conclulion 

 of the expedition of the Macedonian hero. When he reached 

 Pattala, he found the city deferted : the fame of his barbarity 

 had induced the prince, who had before fubmitted, to retire 

 with all his fubjedls. Alexander, finding the neceffity of re- 

 peopling the place, fent out light troops, who made fome of 

 the late inhabitants prifoners. Thofe he treated with the 

 utmofl kindnefs, difmifled them, and promifed them protedion, 

 if they could induce their fellow-citizens to return. He fuc- 

 ceeded in his defign; he formed a haven, and made docks, in 



* Plin. Nat. Hift. lib. vi. c. 23. f Arrkn, i. p. p. 413, 414. Exped. Alex. 



Older 



