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delay, gave orders that the walls should be scaled ; and those orders 

 not being put in execution with all the rapidity that marked his own 

 ardent mind, he snatched a scaling-ladder out of the hand of a 

 soldier, and, applying it himself to the wall, began first to mount the 

 parapet, covering himself with his shield as he ascended. Peucestas, 

 bearing the sacred shield of Pallas, mounted next on the same 

 ladder. He was closely followed by Leonnatus and Abreas, an 

 officer of such distinguished valour, that he received on that ac- 

 count, as well as for other essential services in former battles, a double 

 stipend. Alexander had no sooner reached the summit of this 

 battlement, than he began a dreadful contest with those who de- 

 fended it, killing some with his sword, and driving others headlong 

 down into the castle. The sight of the king thus conspicuously 

 fighting, assisted only by the three brave warriors who had mounted 

 the parapet with him, excited the utmost alarm for his safety in the 

 minds of his soldiers ; and the royal battalion of targeteers, climbing 

 the ladders in haste to second him, with their weight broke them 

 doAvn, and thus the king, who was known by his brilliant armour and 

 the terror of his aspect, was left exposed to a shower of arrows levelled 

 at him by the archers stationed on all the adjoining battlements. 

 Alexander, observing this, and knowing that he could not long re- 

 tain this perilous situation, gallantly leaped down among the thickest 

 of the enemy, resolving to conquer or perish. His example was 

 instantly followed by his comrades in glory, and all four renewed the 

 combat with desperate fury, especially the king, on whom the 

 Indian general rushing sword in hand, was himself run through the 

 body ; and many others, who followed him, shared the same fate. 

 Alexander, fixing himself against the wall, in that situation repelled 

 every assault ; and such was the fire that shot from his eyes, that 

 nobody, at length, dared approach within the reach of his arm. 

 The dauntless Abreas, while fighting for his sovereign with his usual 



