Page 539 Engines to shoot Arrows, Darts, and Stones, and all other Machines and Instruments, fit and necessary for the defence of the Walls against any Assault; yet they readily furnish'd themselves as they had occasion with many more, for that Tyre was full of Gunsmiths, and Artificers of all sorts. So that being supply'd by these Workmen, with many new invented Engines, every place round the Walls was fill'd with them, especially towards that side where the Mole was rais'd.
And now the Work was brought by the Macedonians within the Cast of a Dart, when presently a Prodigy from the Gods appear'd to them who were thus threatned; for the working of the Sea cast a Whale of an incredible bigness to the side of the Mole; and there it lay without doing any Harm, but remain'd there a good while, leaning one side of its Body to the Work, which struck the Beholders with much Terror and Amazement. After it was gone, and return'd into the Sea, both Parties went to their Divinations, and each (severally concluding as they would desire to have it) made this Construction, That by this Sign was portended, that Neptune would aid and assist them.
There was another Prodigy likewise happen'd, which greatly amaz'd the Common People: For when the Macedonians were at Meat, the Faces of those that broke the Bread seem'd to be all over bloudy; and one of Tyre affirm'd, that he saw a Vision, by which Apollo told him that he would forsake the City. And because the Common People suspected that he spoke this in favour of Alexander's Party, the Young Men had ston'd him to death, but that he was rescu'd by the Magistrates, and fled into Hercules his Temple; and so through his pious Supplication he escap'd so imminent a Danger.
Upon this, the Tyrians, to prevent Apollo's leaving the City, fastned his Image to the Pedestal with golden Chains. But the Citizens being put into a great Fright through the increase of the Mole, loaded many little Boats with Engines to shoot Arrows and Darts, and with Slingers and Archers; who setting upon them that were at work, wounded and kill'd many of them: For Showers of Arrows and Darts being discharg'd upon Throngs of naked Men, none miss'd their Mark, in regard all lay open and expos'd to every Shot without any defence; for they were not only wounded with Darts before, but (through the narrowness of the Mole) likewise gall'd at their Backs, being not possible for any one to guard both sides at once.
Alexander therefore, that he might repair the sudden and unexpected Loss, with all the speed he could mann'd as many Ships as he had, and went on board as Admiral himself, and made it his Business to get into the Haven of Tyre, in order to intercept the Phoenicians in their return. Hereupon the Barbarians fearing if he gain'd the Haven he would take the City it self (those who should defend it being now out) made all the haste they could to return to the City. And indeed both sides ply'd their Oars with all their might to prevent one another. But the Macedonians just entring the Port before the other, all the Phoenicians were every Man upon the point like to be cut off; but forcing their way through their Enemies, they return'd into the City, with the loss of some of those Vessels that lagg'd behind. However, though the King mist of his Design, yet he eagerly set to his Work again for the finishing of the Mole, and by a considerable number of Vessels guarded the Work for the future.
The Work being brought near to the City, and the Town now in a probability of being taken, on a sudden a violent Storm of Wind arose, and tore away part of the Mole; which so perplex'd Alexander, that he repented that he ever began the Siege. But however, being prick'd forward with an unquenchable Thirst after Glory, he caus'd Trees of an incredible magnitude to be cut down in the Mountains, and brought thither, and with them Booths, Branches, and Earth pil'd together, gave a check to the Violence of the Stream.
Having therefore presently repair'd the Breach that was made, the Mole by the help of many Hands was brought again within the Cast of a Dart, and by Engines mounted upon it, he batter'd down the Walls, and by shot with Darts and Arrows out of Engines, beat off the Enemy from the Bulwarks: With these likewise both Archers and Slingers ply'd the Besieg'd, and grievously wounded and gall'd many of the Townsmen upon the Walls. But the Tyrians being accustom'd to the Sea, and having many Artificers and Contrivers of Engines, us'd many Arts and ingenious Contrivances to preserve themselves: For against the Shot they contriv'd Wheels with many Spoaks, which being whirl'd about with an Engine, shatter'd in pieces some of the Darts and Arrows, and turn'd off others, and broke the Force of all the rest. And to give a check to the Violence of the Stones that were shot out of the Ballasts, they prepar'd Wooll-packs and other things that were soft and pliant to receive them.