THE CONQUEROR
"Why is the king burning the luggage?" was the question asked by every one.
The king replied:
"Because we are going to India. The march will be a heavy one. We shall need all our strength to meet the dangers and hindrances of the journey. We do not want to be burdened with this spoil."
The army thought the king was right. Each man brought to the fire whatever he did not really need, and so the Macedonians set out for India with a very light baggage.
On the way they attacked a castle which stood on the top of a steep hill. Among the band of Greeks who were to lead the onset was a young fellow named Alexander. King Alexander said to the young soldier Alexander:
"You must bear yourself bravely, my friend, in order to do justice to your name."
And he did; and the king heard with much pleasure that the young warrior had behaved as a man named Alexander should.
All you girls and boys who read this page have the names of your parents—Taylor, Smith, Johnson, Wood, and so on. And all these names are good names; and so you must act in a way that is worthy of the name borne by your mother and your father.
Another fortress which the army lay siege to was protected by a river.
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