Ἰνδική 26.7

26.7

ἐνθαῦτα ξείνια Νεάρχῳ προσφέρουσιν οἱ κωμῆται πρόβατα καὶ ἰχθύας· καὶ τῶν προβάτων τὰ κρέα λέγει ὅτι ἦν ἰχθυώδεα, ἴσα τοῖαι τῶν ὀρνίθων τῶν πελαγίων, ὅτι καὶ αὐτὰ ἰχθύας σιτέεται· ποίη γὰρ οὐκ ἔνι ἐν τῇ χώρῃ.

XXVI. Next to the Oreitai lies Gedrosia, an inland province through which Alexander led his army, but this with difficulty, for the region was so desolate that the troops in the whole course of the expedition never suffered such direful extremities as on this march. But all the particulars relating to this I have set down in my larger work (VI, 22-27). The seaboard below the Gedrosians is occupied by a people called the Ikhthyophagi, and along this country the fleet now pursued its way. Weighing from Malana about the second watch they ran a course of 600 stadia, and reached Bagisira. Here they found a commodious harbour, and at a distance of 60 stadia from the sea a small town called Pasira, whence the people of the neighbourhood were called Pasirees. Weighing early next morning they had to double a headland which projected far out into the sea, and was high and precipitous. Here having dug wells, and got only a small supply of bad water, they rode at anchor that day because a high surf prevented the vessels approaching the shore. They left this place next day, and sailed till they reached Kolta after a course of 200 stadia. Weighing thence at daybreak they reached Kalama, after a course of 600 stadia, and there anchored. Near the beach was a village around which grew a few palm-trees, the dates on which were still green. There was here an island called Karbiné, distant from the shore about 100 stadia. The villagers by way of showing their hospitality brought presents of sheep and fish to Nearkhos, who says that the mutton had a fishy taste like the flesh of sea birds for the sheep fed on fish, there being no grass in the place. Next day they proceeded 200 stadia, and anchored off a shore near which lay a village called Kissa, 30 stadia inland. That coast was however called Karbis. There they found little boats such as might belong to miserably poor fishermen, but the men themselves they saw nothing of, for they had fled when they observed the ships dropping anchor. No corn was here procurable, but a few goats had been left, which were seized and put on board, for in the fleet provisions now ran short. On weighing they doubled a steep promontory, which projected about 150 stadia into the sea, and then put into a well-sheltered haven called Mosarna, where they anchored. Here the natives were fishermen, and here they obtained water.