Thus were the Tyrian vessels entirely captured,-or destroyed by the contending foes, and consequently the lion-hearted citizens were now hemmed in a walled cavern, with the "rough" and furious hunter, attended by his yelling blood-hounds, guarding every outlet towards the land, to prevent escape, or even the attempt in the wild moments of despair!

About this period of the Siege, Darius of Persia, hearing of the present Military undertaking of Alexander, and of its probable success, sent to the Conqueror several Envoys, as a deputation to propose terms of peace and amity for his own nation :-contemplating his approaching triumph, all propositions were rejected by the Victor of Issus! His pride was also wounded by the Despatches being addressed simply to " Alexander of Macedon," without the title of King" being in any part employed in the proposal. The young Monarch, however, had his revenge upon this point of neglected diplomacy, for in his answer, he addressed his foreign adversary, whom he had beaten in two battles, to the following effect :— "ALEXANDER of Macedon refuses to accede to the terms of surrender and amity, proposed to him by Darius, the powerful King of Persia and Media."

July, 332 B.C.] In the sixth month from the commencement of the siege, the invaders had advanced to the foot of the walls, and in approaching they widened the Causeway, in order to enable them to have greater space for carrying on the operations of Storming the Capital. Upon the successful termination of con

structing the Mole, the engines of ancient warfare were placed in their several localities for active service. In front, and near to the walls (which were of soft stone and stuccoed), were stationed several battering-rams of enormous magnitude and power, and swung from high triangles and towers, in order to batter the upper, and consequently the weakest part of the mural defence. Behind these engines, at a short distance, were placed the powerful Balista and Catapultæ for throwing stones and timber, darts and javelins into the city. In the third position from the walls, were stationed several high wooden-towers, from four to six stories in altititude, and manned with archers; each story had its drawbridge, both for defence, and to let down upon, or into any breach that might be made, and from which bridge the archers and spearmen could pass on to the walls, upon the huge machines being wheeled forward by the Soldiery in the rear of the towers. The now Grecian Galleys (captured from the Tyrians) were brought and moored along the sides of the Mole, having their lines trebled near, and especially at the Island-base of the causeway. This precaution was to prevent escape in case of any sortie; as, also, to give protection to the new Military work against the continual injury from the waves. This action and locality of the captured vessels left the walls towards the Sea unwatched, and it was considered by the invaders as useless to keep their small fleet dispersed, when no escape could be made by the Tyrians in that quarter, from the want of vessels; therefore, from the oblong

form of the Island-Capital (its sides being parallel with the Sea and the mainland), it would prevent those engaged at the Causeway, from seeing any movement or enterprise, that might be undertaken at the Seaward gates of the Metropolis. This fact is of great importance, and for the full appreciation of the result, the reader should not let it escape from memory. During the successful advance, the Tyrians had been incessant in their defence of Nature's Moat; but, now that it was passed by the enemy, their only duty was to prevent a breach being made in the wall: this defence was comparatively easy, for the attack could only be made upon one point, and the only approach to that assault was over the Causeway.

When Alexander had personally inspected the fulfilment of his instructions, he commanded a simultaneous assault to be made upon the wall and city, from every warlike engine on the Causeway. It was useless: the brave defence exceeded in its results any injury received from the spirit of the attack; for where the battering-rams would otherwise have had effect, bales of cloths, linen and wool were hung, so that no impression could be made; at the same time hundreds of the invaders were crushed or slain by the high-mounted besieged, who continued to hurl down upon those beneath, and upon their works, ponderous stones, showers of darts and javelins, together with ignited combustibles and fascines. In this manner were several attempts upon the City completely foiled by the Tyrians. The Macedonians were, therefore, compelled to retire

towards the shore, for the purpose of repairing their shattered and burnt engines and towers;-and who, amid the irreverend shouts of triumph from the Islanders, daily buried their dead within the adjacent camp: but these untimely rejoicings, and the death of the Envoys, only the more securely sealed the judgment upon Tyrus!

It has already been stated that the vessels composing the captured fleet had been moored on either side of the Causeway, and consequently they were placed between the Island and the shore. Upon this disposition of the Macedonian Navy being made known at Sidon, several of her most determined Citizens manned a few of their own merchant-galleys, hoisted sails, and lowered oars for Tyrus, which was distant but twentythree miles. They arrived and hovered on the sea-side of the Island, so as to be unperceived by the invaders; and even if they were seen at, or after the storming of the city, they were Sidonians, and would be treated by the besiegers in a friendly manner, for they were already tributary to the Macedonian. Their deep intent, however, could not be known, and their presence merely, would, therefore, pass unquestioned. Although, by their intended act, a portion of the Sidonians broke their treaty of surrender with Alexander, and were in fact as guilty as if detected in the act itself, and consequently within the sentence of death; still they were determined to prove the truth of a prior faith to the Tyrians, and were thus prepared to rescue any "remnant" of their descendants, should the City be stormed and taken.

It was no hollow friendship that amid the whirlwind would come forth, and from the Conqueror's field of blood-the Aceldama of his shame and cruelty-would boldly "glean" the Tyrian "olive-tree," or the remaining fruit from Slaughter's "vintage." This was an act worthy of renown from the Sculptor's magic, yet enduring Art, worthy to grace the "Chief Altar" of a land, wherever the "gleanings" of the bloody-harvest should be housed in safety!

August, 332 B. C.] In the seventh month of the Siege, the invaders had repaired and increased the number of their warlike engines and machines, and especially those for battering down the walls. They were now replaced, but stationed out of danger of the ignited fascines, to await the final orders of the King of Macedon, who had retired to the neighbouring Mountain for recreation, until the preparations should be completed for a renewal of the assault. In the mean time the soldiers of Alexander, accustomed to speedy victories, began to murmur at their long and arduous duties, and at the number of their useless dead, which had made their camp nearly a pestilential charnel-house. They desired that the Siege should be instantly raised, that they might march on to certain victories, and so efface their present infamy of defeat. In these sentiments they were joined by many of the subaltern officers; and the growing spirit of open mutiny was roaming through every division of the army.

During this cessation of active hostilities, the Tyrians were making preparation for the great Annual Festival in honour of their tutelary God,-Apollo,