Page 564 Sh • eld: At length he receiv'd so grievous a Wound under one of his Paps, that it brought him down upon his Knees. Upon which, the Indian that wounded him ran (heedlesly) upon him to give him another Blow; but the King thrust his Sword through his Body, and there he fell down dead. Then raising himself up by the help of a Bough of the Tree, he challeng'd any of the Indians that had a mind to fight with him.
And now came in to his relief Peucestes, one of his Guard, being one of the first that by other Ladders had scal'd the Wall, and after him came several others; so that the Barbarians being now in a fright, Alexander was at length preserv'd and rescu'd.
The City being thus taken, the Macedonians (being enrag'd upon the account of the King) put all the Men they sound to the Sword, and fill'd every place with dead Carcasses.
In the mean time, while the King lay ill of his Wound, the Grecians that were distributed into several Colonies throughout Bactria and Sogdiana (having for a considerable time before grudg'd their Plantations amongst the Barbarians, and now encourag'd upon the Report that Alexander was dead of his Wound) rebell'd against the Macedonians, and got together to the number of about Three thousand, and endeavour'd with all their Might to return into their own Country; but were every Man cut off, after the Death of Alexander.
The King, after he was recover'd of his Wound, appointed a solemn Sacrifice to the Gods, in order to give Thanks for his Recovery, and sumptuously feasted all his Friends. In his Feasting and Drinking there happen'd a Passage very remarkable, and fit to be taken notice of: Amongst other Friends, there was one Coragus a Macedonian invited, a strong body'd Man, and one that had often behav'd himself with great Gallantry in several Encounters. This Man in his Cups challeng'd one Dioxippus an Athenian to fight a Duel; who was a Champion, and had won many Noble Prizes and Victories. The matter was push'd on forward by the Guests, as is usual at such times. Dioxippus accepted the Challenge, and the King appointed the Day.
As soon as it was day, many thousands of People slock'd together to see the Combat. The King, with his Macedonians, favour'd Coragus; the Grecians. wish'd well to Dioxippus. The Macedonian came into the List neatly accoutred, glittering in his Arms. The Athenian presented himself stark naked all over anointed with Oil, with a Cap upon his Head. Their Persons were both so admirable for Strength of Body, and Presence of Mind, that it seem'd as if two of the Gods were to fight a Duel: For the Macedonian for his Stature and Brightness of his Arms, look'd like Mars. Dioxippus (besides his being the stronger Man) in his carrying of a great Club, and Activity in Feats of Arms, resembled Hercules. And now both advanc'd one towards another: The Macedonian, when he came near, cast his Javelin at Dioxippus, which he declin'd by a little motion of his Body. Then Coragus presently made at him with his MacedonianSarissa, which the other (advancing forward) broke in pieces with his Truncheon. The Macedonian thus twice defeated, betook to his Sword; but while he was drawing it, his Adversary made a Sally up to him, and prevented him; catching hold on his Arm with his left hand, and gave him such a Blow with the other, as that he laid him at his feet. When he had him upon the Ground, he set his Foot upon his Neck, and lifting up himself, he turn'd about to the Spectators: Upon which, all the People set up a great Shout, in admiration of what was done, and at the Strength and Valour of the Man. But the King order'd him that was foil'd to be let go, and then Broke up the Assembly; and departed, not very well pleas'd at the Misfortune of his Country-man.
But Doxippus having now discharg'd his Adversary, went off the Ground, and for his famous and remarkable Victory, his Country-men set a Coronet upon his Head, as One that had advanc'd the Honour and Reputation of the Grecians. But Fortune suffer'd not the Man to rejoice long in his Victory; for the King ever after bore a Grudge to him, and the King's Friends and all the Courtiers envy'd him: Therefore they persuaded one that waited at the Table, to put a golden Cup under his Cushion; and in the middle of the Feast a Complaint was made that the Cup was stollen; whereupon search was made, and the Cup pretended to be found with Dioxippus: By which he was greatly disgrac'd, and put out of Countenance: And seeing the Macedonians came • locking about him, he arose from the Table, and left the place, and went to his Lodging. But shortly after, he wrote a Letter to Alexander, complaining of the foul Contrivances of his Enemies against him; and after he had deliver'd it to his Servants, to be handed carefully to the King, he murder'd himself.