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castle of Aornus ; and famine would do the work of destruction more 

 rapidly than all the warlike engines of Alexander. 



That blockade, therefore, for which ample preparations had been 

 already made, now commenced with vigour. The former lines of 

 investment were contracted, the ramparts strengthened, the wooden 

 towers advanced close to the rock, and on them other works were 

 constructed, which brought them still nearer the besieged. While 

 these things were going on, an old man, who had long passed the life 

 of a hermit, in a cavern of the rock, came to Alexander, and offered, 

 for a considerable reward, to guide a small band of soldiers, by a 

 secret path, to the plain on the summit, where they might conceal 

 themselves in the wood that grew there till they could be reinforced 

 by others. The terms demanded were immediately agreed to, and 

 Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, with a detachment of light-armed sol- 

 diers was sent with him, receiving orders, when they should reach the 

 summit, strongly to intrench themselves in that wood, and display on 

 high a burning torch, as the signal of their success. With immense toil 

 and hazard, Ptolemy successfully reached the top, displayed the 

 signal, and intrenched himself till the treacherous Indian conducted 

 others to the same spot. These carried the farther command of 

 Alexander to Ptolemy, that the following day, when he should again 

 storm the rock by the ordinary path of ascent, the troops with him 

 should rush with fury on the rear of the astonished enemy. The 

 command was punctually obeyed ; but so great was the number of 

 the enemy and so ardent their courage, that, though they saw 

 themselves betrayed, and attacked at once both in front and rear, 

 they manifested neither confusion nor terror, but vigorously repelled 

 the attack of each party, again driving the Macedonians, who en- 

 gaged them from below, down the rugged precipices, and com- 

 pelling Ptolemy to retreat for security to his intrenchment, which 



