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rocky and contracted channel, so astonished and intimidated the 

 rowers, that they dropped their oars, and the vessels for a time be- 

 came the sport of the agitated waters. Many of them were nearly 

 absorbed in the vortex of the furious eddies that covered its whole 

 surface; others were with the utmost difficulty prevented from 

 striking against the rocks ; many were dreadfully shattered by being 

 borne violently against each other; and two, in particular, were 

 dashed to pieces by this concussion ; while nearly all the soldiers on 

 board of them perished. The officers of the fleet had been fore- 

 warned of this danger, but the suddenness and magnitude of the 

 alarm induced a momentary dread that suspended exertion. They 

 soon, however, recovered from their astonishment, and, as nothing 

 but the most vigorous efforts could now save them, every arm was 

 extended with redoubled energy, and the ships were soon propelled 

 beyond the confluence into a wider channel and smoother current. 

 Alexander perceiving, on the right side of the river, a kind of bay 

 sheltered by a rocky eminence protruding into the stream, imme- 

 diately steered into it, and there refitted his shattered vessels. While 

 these repairs were going on, he was by no means inactive. The 

 obstinate opposition of the M alii had roused his resentment ; and 

 he was determined completely to bend the neck of that high-spirited 

 people beneath the Macedonian yoke. The Oxydracse also had again 

 leagued with them to obstruct the progress of his army in the 

 southern provinces, and he now meditated against both nations the 

 severest vengeance. Before, however, he formed his grand attack 

 upon these confederated people, he landed with a strong force, and 

 penetrated to a considerable distance into the adjacent country, in 

 order to overawe the inhabitants and prevent their sending any 

 succours to his enemies. After widely ravaging that territory, the 

 king returned to his fleet, where Craterus, Hephrestion, and Philip, 

 had already arrived with the detachments they commanded. 



