Budge_Ethiopic_Alexander

BY , ABU-SHAKER. 395
the kings consented, and straightway they came to
him. Then the king of India sent unto Alexander,
saying, "Come, let us do batde;" and Alexander
and his army marched [to the ground which was]
above the city of India. And Alexander ordered
them to put wood in the bellies of the elephants,
and to set light thereto, and after this they dragged
the elephants along upon carriages with iron chains,
and they stood among the ranks of the soldiers. The Indians
Now when the Indian elephants saw those which reVhofeL^
Alexander had made they rushed out to them and''''^°'^'
laid hold of them and burnt themselves; and
they turned and ran back, and the Indians were
defeated with a great defeat.
And it came to pass that the Indians encamped
nigh unto [the Greeks], and a certain soldier of
Alexander who had been sent to the Indian army
counselled the Indians, saying, 'Alexander is young,
"and he hath no experience of the rules of war.
"And, moreover, he is short in stature and hath
"but little strength, for he is not like your king
"who is great in stature and very strong. Counsel
"ye, then, your king to do battle with Alexander
"[in person], and [p. 233] whosoever shall overcome
"his fellow shall take his kingdom, and both we
"and you may rest from this fighting." Now this Duel beword
of counsel was good in their sight and in^^l^^^^^'^
that of their king, and both Alexander and the^°^-
kin or of India went out from their armies and did
battle with each other. And Alexander said unto
him, "Hast thou brought out any one to help thee?"