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sion of an attack from the enemy, been all night under arms, and 

 consequently exhausted by that unnecessary vigil. Alexander com- 

 menced the dreadful contest by a furious attack at the head of his 

 right wing on the Scythian and .Bactrian cavalry that formed the 

 left of the enemy. These brave and athletic natives of the Northern 

 Asia repelled the assault with equal fury, while, to assist their 

 efforts and break the impetuosity of the Macedonian horse, the 

 scythe-armed chariots were ordered to bear down upon that division. 

 A shower of darts, javelins, and other missile weapons., from a select 

 band of archers, stationed at hand, for the purpose, was immediately 

 poured upon the charioteers and horse, which wounded some and 

 killed others ; while the troops dividing as directed, opened to the 

 remainder a clear passage through the midst of them to the troops in 

 reserve, who were prepared to complete their destruction. The 

 unwieldy Indian animals, at the same time, being severely galled 

 by the javelins and terrified by the shouts of the assailants, were 

 driven back on the Persian infantry, and becoming ungovernable, 

 through the violence of pain, spread confusion and dismay wherever 

 they came. The conflict between the right and left wings was soon 

 renewed with redoubled fury, and the hardy Scythians, as often as 

 routed, presently rallied again, and returned to the charge. No exer- 

 tions, however, of barbarian fortitude could long resist the disciplined 

 bravery and superior manoeuvring of the Macedonian and Grecian 

 horse. After an obstinate contest, the former were entirely broken 

 and dispersed. Alexander did not lose time in pursuing the fugitives ; 

 but, wheeling about, fell, with his whole, force on. the flank of the 

 Persian centre ; and the Macedonian phalanx, that formed his own 

 centre, immediately coming up, and attacking them in front, they 

 were quickly thrown into irrecoverable disorder, betaking themselves 

 to flight in every direction. The auxiliary Greeks, however, and 

 the body-guard of Darius, whose station was always in the centre, 



