1. How Alexander marching through a dry Country, for want of Water lost many of his Soldiers. Curtius, lib. VII. c. 5.
ALexander himself, with a Band of Light-arm'd Men, marching all the Night, entred the Deserts of * 1.1 Susitana. The total want of Water, with the Thoughts of their desperate Condition (as is before declared) enflam'd their Thirst be∣fore they had a reald esire to drink; for, sor the space of † 1.2 400 Furlongs, not the least Lake, or any thing that was moist, appear'd. The scorching Sun fired the Sands, which when inflam'd, burnt up all round about like a raging Fire; hence, through the excessive Heat of the Earth, arose a Mist which obscur'd the Light, and all the Champaigne seem'd no other than if it had been the vast Ocean.
Their March in the Night was tolerable, because their Bodies were refresh'd by the Dew and Coldness of the Air, before the rising of the Sun; but when Light appear'd, the Heat began, and Drought dried up all their natural Moisture, and both their Mouths and their very Intrails were altogether parch'd up with scorching Heat; and therefore first their Spirits and then their Bodies began to faint. It was grievous to 'em both to stand still and go forward: Some few of 'em, by the help of them that knew the Country, had got Water, which quench'd their Thirst for a little while; but the Heat encreasing, their desire of Drink was again the more enflam'd; and therefore whoever had any Wine or Oil, it was presently guzzl'd down, and the present Pleasure of Drinking was so great, that it banish'd all fear of Thirst for the future. Those that had thus swell'd themselves with immoderate Drinking, cou'd neither carry their Arms, nor march for∣ward; and those seem'd to be in a far better condition that wanted Water, than they who by pouring it down to excess, were forc'd to vomit it up again. Those that were about the King seeing him griev'd and much perplex'd with these Misfortunes, entreated him to mind and take care of himself; for his Courage was the only Life and Relief of his drooping Army. While they were thus advising him, two of those that were sent before to mark out a convenient Place where to encamp, came with Water in their Vessels for the use of their Children who were in the Army, and whom they knew were not able to hold out without Drink: These meeting the King, one of 'em opened his Vessel, and fill'd a Cup which he had with him, and offer'd it to the King, who receiv'd it; but ask'd him for whom the Water was brought, who answer'd, That it was for his Children. Upon which. returning the Cup full as it was, I cannot find in my Heart (says he) to drink it alone; and 'tis to be divided amongst them all; away therefore with all speed, and give it your Children, for whom it was brought. At length he came to the River Oxus about evening, but a great part of the Army were left behind: He commanded there∣fore Fires to be kindled upon a high Mountain, that those that followed slowly after might know they were not far from the Camp. He commanded likewise those that were in the Van (having sufficiently refresh'd themselves both with Meat and Drink) to fill