Ἰνδική 27.5

27.5

ἐνθαῦτα ἁλιέες τε ᾤκεον, καὶ πλοῖα αὐτοῖσιν ἦν σμικρὰ καὶ πονηρά· καὶ τῇσι κώπῃσιν οὐ κατὰ σκαλμὸν ἤρεσσον ὡς ὁ Ἑλλήνων νόμος, ἀλλὰ τὸ ὕδωρ ἀναβάλλοντες ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν, κατάπερ οἱ σκάπτοντες τὴν γῆν. ὕδωρ δὲ πολλόν τε ἦν ἐν τῷ λιμένι καὶ καθαρόν.

From this place they took on board, Nearkhos says, as pilot of the fleet, a Gedrosian called Hydrakés, who undertook to conduct them as far as Karmania. Thenceforth until they reached the Persian Gulf, the voyage was more practicable, and the names of the stations more familiar. Departing from Mosarna at night, they sailed 750 stadia, and reached the coast of Balomon. They touched next at Barna, which was 400 stadia distant. Here grew many palm trees, and here was a garden wherein were myrtles and flowers from which the men wove chaplets for their hair. They saw now for the first time cultivated trees, and met with natives in a condition above that of mere savages. Leaving this they followed the winding of the coast, and arrived at Dendrobosa, where they anchor in the open sea. They weighed from this about midnight, and after a course of about 400 stadia gained the haven of Kophas. The inhabitants were fishermen possessed of small and wretched boats, which they did not manage with oars fastened to a row-lock according to the Grecian manner, but with paddles which they thrust on-this side, and on that into the water, like diggers using a spade. They found at this haven plenty of good water. Weighing about the first watch they ran 800 stadia, and put into Kyiza, where was a desert shore with a high surf breaking upon it. They were accordingly obliged to let the ships ride at anchor and take their meal on board. Leaving this they ran a course of 500 stadia, and came to a small town built on an eminence not far from the shore. On turning his eyes in that direction Nearkhos noticed that the land had some appearance of being cultivated, and thereupon addressing Arkhias (who was the son of Anaxidotos of Pella, and sailed in the Commander’s galley, being a Makedonian of distinction) pointed out to him that they must take possession of the place, as the inhabitants would not willingly supply the army with food. It could not however be taken by assault, a tedious siege would be necessary, and they were already short of provisions. But the country was one that produced corn as the thick stubble which they saw covering the fields near the shore clearly proved. This proposal being approved of by all, he ordered Arkhias to make a feint of preparing the fleet, all but one ship to sail, while he himself, pretending to be left behind with that ship, approached the town as if merely to view it.