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was constructed with too much military skill to be easily forced by 

 barbarian prowess. Thus victorious, the besieged made the rock 

 resound with acclamations of triumph, and mingled the scoff of 

 derision with the extravagancies of mirth. Alexander, equally 

 enraged and surprised at this two-fold discomfiture, determined 

 to advance his works still higher up the rock, cutting down more 

 trees, filling up more interstices, and erecting, of earth and stone, an 

 enormous counter-agger, whose height he intended should, in time, 

 rival that of Aornus. In the mean time, the Indians affected to 

 behold these uncommon efforts of a great general with contempt, 

 and continued for two days and nights their Bacchanalian revels. 

 On the third night, the noise of the cymbals ceased, and the rock 

 appeared, through its whole extent, illuminated with torches, which 

 the king observing, instantly conjectured the enemy were attempting 

 an escape from the rock; and, as more than enough of Macedonian 

 blood had been shed at Aornus, he felt no inclination to obstruct 

 their purpose. On the contrary, he withdrew his forces from the 

 blockaded avenues, that they might have a free passage ; but, in 

 revenge of their obstinacy and insults, the instant they had descend- 

 ed, he directed his forces to pursue the fugitives, and cut to pieces as 

 many as they could overtake. Alexander now took possession of 

 the deserted rock ; offered magnificent sacrifices upon it, and erected 

 altars to Minerva and Victory. He then placed a strong garrison in 

 it, and consigned the charge of that important station to Sisicottus, 

 an Indian chief, on whose attachment and fidelity he knew he 

 might depend. The above account of the siege and capture of 

 Aornus is what we find in Arrian and Curtius, whose relations, in 

 this as in many other cases, are not easily to be reconciled ; but as 

 the latter probably composed his work from materials to which 

 Arrian might not have access, however guilty he may be of frequent 



