"You have done well," he said to the three friends, when they had finished. "Your horses are waiting for you. Refresh yourselves and put on your armor, for you will need it before the sun goes down."
"I hope nobody has stolen my breastplate," Chares muttered.
Alexander continued to pace backward and forward with his head inclined a little to the left, as was his wont when in thought. Parmenio watched him closely, but did not venture to speak. Amyntas, who had ridden forward after surrendering his prisoners, now returned at a gallop.
"The barbarians await us on the opposite side of the river," he said.
"Your prisoners have already told me," Alexander replied. "Is the stream fordable?"
"Not directly in front of their line," the cavalryman replied. "There is shallow water above and below them, but the stream is swift."
"Call the council," Alexander said quietly, turning to Parmenio.
Heralds bore the order down the road beside which the army lay at rest. The commanders left their stations and came forward, singly and in groups, gathering about their leader. In few words he set the situation before them.
"Shall we attack them now or to-morrow?" he asked.
"Let us fight now!" the captains shouted.
But Parmenio frowned and shook his head. "My advice is to wait," he said boldly. "Already it is late and we must cross the river to reach the enemy. They have chosen their own ground. The men are weary with their march."
"As for the river," Alexander replied, "the Hellespont would blush for shame if we stood waiting on the banks of such a stream as this after having crossed the other. It is true that we have little time, and that is the more reason that we should make the most of it. We will fight now."
His decision was received with a burst of cheers. He waited with a smile until the clamor of approval had ceased.
"Comrades and Macedonians!" he continued, "we are about to face the Mede. If we win here, we win all. I say to you that we shall win. I ask you only to be worthy of yourselves. Fight this day as the heroes fought before the walls of Ilium. Their shades are with us. Your names shall be linked forever with theirs. Here we shall reap the first harvest of our hope."
"Lead us, Alexander! We shall win!" the captains shouted.