Indian Antiquary Vol 05

SR No.: 032497
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 438
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[APRIL, 1876.
by without bringing Nearchus, and Alexander, on comparing the time since the news was brought, no longer thought the tidings credible, while those that were sent out one after another to the rescue of Nearchus, after going a short distance and finding nothing, had returned without news, and those who had gone farther and had missed Nearchus and his companions had not yet returned, then Alexander, forsooth, orders the man to be put under arrest, on the ground that he had brought baseless intelligence, and raised joyful hopes only to disappoint them. But Alexander, as his looks evidently showed, was struck to the heart with great sorrow. In the mean time, however, some of those who had been despatched in search of Nearchus, taking with them horses and wagons for the conveyance of himself and his escort, fall in on the way with him and Archias and five or six others, for he had taken so many to accompany him. And when they met the band they recognized neither Nearchus himself nor Archias, so much changed did they appear : for their hair had grown long, they were filthy, and all over encrusted with brine, shrivelled in body and sallow in complexion from want of sleep and other severe hardships. But when they asked where Alexander was, they replied, giving the name of the place. Bat Archias, perceiving who they were, says to Nearchus, "I fancy, Nearchus, these men are riding through the desert by the same road as ourselves, for no other reason than that they have been sent in search of us. True, they did not know us, but that does not at all surprise me, for we are such miserable-looking objects that we are past all recognition. Let us tell them who we are, and ask them why they are travelling this way." Nearchus thought there was reason in what he said. So they asked the men whither they were bound. They replied that they were searching for Nearchus and the fleet. Then he said, "Here is your man: I am Nearchus, and this is Archias. But do you be our guides, and we will give Alexander all the news about the expedition."
xxxv. So, having mounted the party on the wagons, they ride back the way they came, and some of them, wishing to be beforehand in carrying the tidings, run on before and tell Alexander that the man they sought for-Near- chus--and with him Archias and five others,
are being brought on to him; but about the expedition generally they had no information to give. Alexander, concluding from this that while those who were coming had been in some extraordinary way saved, all the rest of the expedition had perished, did not so much feel joy at the safety of Nearchus as he was afflicted to think of the total loss of the expedition. Before all the inquiries had yet been made, both Nearchus and Archias were seen approaching. But Alexander had great difficulty in recognizing them, and as he saw them long-haired and dressed in miserable rags his grief was the more vehement for his lost fleet. At length, grasping Nearchus by the hand and leading him apart both from his attendants and his guards, he gave way to a long fit of weeping. At last after a long time, having recovered himself, he said, " Ah, well ! since you have returned to me safe, and Archias here along with you, that should be to me some consolation after the loss of all; but tell me now in what manner the ships and the troops on board perished.""O king !" he replied," the ships are safe, and the troops also, and we have come in person to report their safety." Alexander now wept all the more as the safety of the squadron was unhoped for, and then inquired where the ships were detained. “They are hauled up." he replied, "for repairs, on the beach of the river Anamis." Then Alexander swears by Zeus of the Greeks and Ammon of the Libyans that in all sincerity he rejoices more at these. tidings than in being the master of all Asia, since his grief for the loss of the expedition (had it happened) would have counterbalanced all his other good fortune.
XXXVI. But the governor, whom Alexander had arrested for bringing idle news, seeing Nearchus present, falls down at his knees and says, "I am the man who announced to Alexander that you had arrived safe. You see how I am situated." Nearuhus thereupon entreated Alexander to let the man go, and he is let go accordingly. Then Alexander presents thank-offerings for the safety of the expedition to Zeus the saviour, and Heracles, and Apollo the averter of evil, and Poseidon, and all the other sea-deities, and he celebrated a contest in gymnastics and music, and conducted a solemn procession. A foremost place in the procession was assigned to Nearchus, who was