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extremity ; all which circumstances prove the proud spirit and obsti- 

 nate valour of these northern Indians, when their independence and 

 every thing dear to freemen were attacked by unprovoked ag- 

 gression. Alexander, ho w ever, was greatly irritated by this ap- 

 pearance of determined opposition, which threw such immediate 

 obstruction in the way of his project of advancing to the Ganges, 

 and, taking a near view of both their intrenched lines and their 

 fortified city, saw that the reduction of these tribes would occasion 

 him a considerable loss of time as well as of men. To delay, how- 

 ever, the attack, was only to give new strength and courage to the 

 enemy ; he, therefore, immediately, with his whole force, attacked 

 the first line of their intrenchment, which, though very bravely 

 defended by the Indians, was too weak to resist the fury of the 

 Macedonian phalanx ; who, rushing forward through a storm of 

 darts, drove away the defenders, and broke to pieces the carriages. 

 The second line was constructed with greater skill, was stronger, 

 deeper, and still more valiantly defended. It was carried, however, 

 after the loss of a great many lives on both sides, and preparations 

 were making tor attacking the innermost, when the enemy, justly 

 dreading the event, deserted their camp, and retired within the walls 

 of their capital. Alexander immediately began to invest the city 

 with his troops, but found he had not a body of foot sufficient 

 with him completely to surround the vast extent of its walls ; 

 and, therefore, made his cavalry, on this occasion, do the duty of 

 infantry : at the same time he advanced his works close to the 

 ramparts and to the very edge of the lake. On the borders of that 

 lake he stationed also large parties of horse, to prevent every 

 possibility of escape by the enemy, on whom he meditated a severer 

 punishment than their brave opposition merited. Sensible of the 

 hazard of delay to his future schemes of aggrandizement and 

 glory, the king now hurried on the siege with unremitting vigour ; 



