LXIII.  After this, Alexander wishing to see the outer ocean,[423] caused many rafts and vessels managed with oars to be built, and proceeded in a leisurely manner down the Indus.  His voyage, however, was not an idle one, nor was it unaccompanied with danger, for as he passed down the river, he disembarked, attacked the tribes on the banks, and subdued them all.  When he was among the Malli, who are said to be the most warlike tribe in India, he very nearly lost his life.  He was besieging their chief city, and after the garrison had been driven from the walls by volleys of missiles, he was the first man to ascend a scaling ladder and mount the walls.  The ladder now broke, so that no more could mount, and as the enemy began to assemble inside at the foot of the wall and shoot up at him from below, Alexander, alone against a host, leaped down amongst them, and by good luck, alighted on his feet.  His armour rattled loudly as he leaped, and made the natives think that a bright light was emitted from his body; so that at first they gave way and fled from him.  But when they saw that he was attended by only two followers, some of them attacked him at close quarters with swords and spears, while one standing a little way off shot an arrow at him with such force and with such good aim, that it passed through his corslet and imbedded itself in the bones of his breast.  As he shrank back when the arrow struck him, the man who had shot it ran up to him with a drawn sword in his hand.  Peukestas and Limnaeus now stood before Alexander to protect him.  Both were wounded, Limnaeus mortally; but Peukestas managed to stand firm, while Alexander despatched the Indian with his own hand.  Alexander was wounded in many places, and at last received a blow on the neck with a club, which forced him to lean his back against the wall, still facing the enemy.  The Macedonians now swarmed round him, snatched him up just as he fainted away, and carried him insensible to his tent.  A rumour now ran through the camp that he was dead, and his attendants with great difficulty sawed through the wooden shaft of the arrow, and so got off his corslet.  They next had to pluck out the barbed head of the arrow, which was firmly fixed in one of his ribs.  This arrow-head is said to have measured four fingers-breadths[424] in length, and three in width.  When it was pulled out, he swooned away, so that he nearly died, but at length recovered his strength.  When he was out of danger, though still very weak, as he had to keep himself under careful treatment for a long time, he heard a disturbance without, and learning that the Macedonians were anxious to see him, took his cloak and went out to them.  After sacrificing to the gods for the recovery of his health, he started again on his journey, and passed through a great extent of country and past many considerable cities, all of which he subdued.