620 The Battle Field of Alexander and Ponis. [Dec. 



reaching with them the Island (probably by boat, for it was the season 

 of the monsoon) speedily wafted them across the second channel, and 

 supposed the Hydaspes to be passed. But what was his mortification on 

 discovering that they had but gained a second and larger island, around 

 which, considering the force of the swollen torrent, there could be little 

 hope of timely towing the boats. 



At length, however, out of hope, (for such good fortune in such a 

 river, at such a season and after such a storm, was marvellous) they 

 discovered a ford, through which the Phalanx waded breast- deep and 

 gained the eastern bank. It is probable that the dawn broke as they 

 reached the larger island, for the alarm was then given, and Porus has- 

 tened from his camp opposite the present Jelum to give him battle. 

 They met upon a level plain of firm sand ; the chariots, elephants and 

 infantry of Porus, opposed to the Companion cavalry and to the Mace- 

 donian Phalanx. The result was the signal triumph of Alexander and 

 the surrender of his gallant foe. 



Now, in glancing the eye over the accompanying chart of the river, 

 we perceive one singular advantage in Alexander's position, viz. that 

 he commanded the chord of an arc in his flank movement ; whilst his 

 adversary had to follow the curve. Accordingly, the spot selected by 

 Alexander is about 10 miles from his camp by a level road ; whereas 

 it is about 19 miles from the camp of Porus. The river is at this 

 moment so exactly as described by Alexander's historian, that the map 

 might seem rather an ancient than a modern production. The only chan- 

 nel which can be forded during the monsoon is that which I have de- 

 signated Alexander's channel. The bottom is of massive boulders 

 of quartz firmly imbedded. The soil around is a very firm stratum of 

 mingled sand and clay. In fact, the river Jelum, bursting here from 

 its prison of rock upon the open valley, has inevitably diffused its waters 

 by numerous channels, none of which, owing to the solid substratum of 

 boulders can be deepened beyond a certain level, and whatsoever alter- 

 ations have occurred in the course of the river since first projected upon 

 the valley, arise from the efforts of the water to find the lowest level of 

 this pavement, from which they were originally deflected by the solid 

 cliff on the western bank opposite the fort of Mungla. The firmness 

 of the soil and the shelter from wind afforded by the height on either 

 side prevent any considerable deposit of sand in the older channels, 



