[ 325 ] 



and in memory of his Indian expedition, have probably been the 

 foundation of this gross calumny on the memory of Alexander, 

 which is expressly contradicted by Arrian, who, in diametrical op- 

 position to all this licentious buffoonery, represents him, on his very 

 entrance into this frontier-province of Persia, as assuming the stern 

 aspect of a severe judge, punishing with death the extortions of cer- 

 tain tyrannical governors in the remoter provinces, and acting the 

 part of a wise and beneficent prince, in redressing the grievances of 

 his new subjects. Still, however, his anxious thoughts were in- 

 cessantly turned towards Nearchus and the fleet ; and, fortunately, 

 about this period, an interesting incident took place which proved 

 the means of acquainting him with its fate, and once more intro- 

 ducing Nearchus to his affectionate sovereign. But, before we relate 

 it, it will be necessary to attend generally, for the reasons above 

 specified, to the operations of that fleet, and of the army left on the 

 coast of Gedrosia under the command of Leonnatus for its assistance 

 and protection. 



On the ceasing of the Etesian winds, or south-west monsoon, ac- October, 

 cording to Arrian*, though he was mistaken in that supposition, or, "" ' 

 according to Strabo's more correct account, on the evening rising of 

 the Pleiades t, which is fixed, by Dr. Vincent and his learned 

 astronomical friends, to have taken place on the 2d of October, 

 A. C. 326, about a month after the departure of the king himself, 

 Nearchus commenced his hazardous expedition to the Persian Gulph. 

 As it was in the face of the monsoon, he was most probably com- 

 pelled to do so, by the hostility of the natives, no longer awed by 

 the presence of Alexander, and, sailing down the Indus to its mouth, 

 after doubling the rocky promontory of Eirus, now Cape Monze, in 

 a few days he arrived at an island near that mouth, called Bibacta, 



* Arrian in Indicis, cap. 2). t Strabouis Geograph. lib. xv. p. 721. 



2 T 2 



