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Ormus, which has since conferred its name on the whole Persian 

 Gulph, and is justly deduced by our learned geographer from the 

 radical word Hormuzd, or Oromasdes, the beneficent deity of the 

 ancient Persians. At Harmuzeia the harrassed crews of the whole 

 fleet exultingly went on shore, and reflected with pleasure on their 

 final escape from so many and such urgent perils. A camp was 

 formed on the spot, and strongly fortified with a rampart and ditch ; 

 the vessels were also hauled on shore, as well for security as that 

 they might undergo such repairs as appeared necessary after their 

 late tedious voyage.* 



An idea was at this time forcibly impressed on the mind of 

 Nearchus, that the army of Alexander was still in Carmania, and he 

 determined to explore the interior of that province, and gain, if 

 possible, some intelligence concerning the progress of the army and 

 its distance from the shore. In the mean time, some more curious 

 individuals of the fleet, happening to wander farther into the 

 country than their comrades, by accident met a person clothed in a 

 Grecian vest, and speaking fluently their native language. Their 

 astonishment was extreme, mingled with inexpressible delight at 

 meeting with an inhabitant of their own country on so distant a 

 shore, and after such severe suffering. A variety of anxious questions 

 was immediately addressed to the equally-surprised stranger, who 

 confessed himself to be a Greek, and informed them that he had 

 strayed down thither from the camp of Alexander, who, with his 

 whole army, had some time before entered Carmania, and at that 

 moment was at no great distance. He was immediately conducted to 

 the admiral amidst the loudest acclamations of joy. On confirming 

 to Nearchus the welcome tidings, and informing him that in five 

 days he might reach the Macedonian camp, the delighted admiral 



* Arriani Hist. Indie, cap. 33. 



