Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/210

 202 ANTONY. was carried to the Parthians, who followed them, contrary to their custom, through the night, and at sunrise attacked the rear, which was tired with marching and want of sleep, and not in condition to make any considerable de- fence. For they had got through two hundred and forty furlongs that night, and at the end of such a march to find the enemy at their heels, put them out of heart. Besides, having to fight for every step of the way in- creased their distress from thirst. Those that were in the van came up to a river, the water of which was extremely cool and clear, but brackish and medicinal, and, on being drunk, produced immediate pains in the bowels and a renewed thirst. Of this the Mardian had forewarned them, but they could not forbear, and, beating back those that opposed them, "they drank of it. Antony ran from one place to another, begging they would have a little patience, that not far off there was a river of whole- some water, and that the rest of the way was so difficult for the horse, that the enemy could pursue them no fur- ther; and, saying this, he ordered to sound a retreat to call those back that were engaged, and commanded the tents should be set up, that the soldiers might at any rate refresh themselves in the shade. But the tents were scarce well put up, and the Parthi- ans beginning, according to their custom, to withdraw, when Mithridates came again to them, and informed Alexander, with whom he had before sj)oken, that he would do well to advise Antony to stay where he was no longer than needs he must, that, after having refreshed his troops, he should endeavor with all diligence to gain the next river, that the Parthians would not cross it, but so far they were resolved to follow them. Alexander made his report to Antony, who ordered a quantity of gold plate to be carried to Mithridates, who, taking as much as he could well hide under his clothes, went his