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now advancing- in an impenetrable phalanx, under Alexander him- 

 self. These, drawing up in order, as they reached the shore, by 

 their superior discipline, their martial skill, and the strength and 

 depth of their column, gradually gained ground upon the Persians, 

 and drove them from their station. 



The other battalions now pressing eagerly forward, successively 

 ascended the bank, in spite of all the efforts of the Persians to repel 

 them, and the contest became most obstinate and bloody. In 

 the midst of it, Alexander observing Spithridates, son-in-law of 

 Darius, mounted on a stately horse, and fighting valiantly at the 

 head of a band of Persian officers and relatives, immediately rode 

 up at full speed to the spot, and, at the first onset, thrust him 

 through the mouth with his spear. At that instant Rhassaces, the 

 brother of Spithridates, coming up, aimed so furious a blow Avith 

 Ins sword at the king's head, that it divided his helmet, grazed his 

 skull, and struck off a part of his plume. He was just on the point 

 of repeating the blow, which, in all probability, would have anni- 

 hilated his hopes of being the conqueror of Asia, when Clytus, 

 springing forward, with one stroke of his cimeter, cut off the 

 sword-arm of the fierce assailant, and saved the life of his master. 

 The Macedonians, animated by the example of their sovereign to 

 brave every danger, now rushed upon the enemy, and soon routed 

 all but the Greek mercenaries, who firmly stood their ground, and 

 for some time sustained the attack of the whole army ; but, being at 

 length overpowered, were nearly all cut to pieces. Two thousand of 

 them, who surrendered themselves prisoners, were sent in chains to 

 Macedon, the just scorn of their fellow-citizens, for having fought on 

 the side of the barbarians against their country. With them were 

 transmitted three hundred suits of Persian armour, to be suspended as 

 trophies in the temple of Pallas, in grateful remembrance of this 



