Darius was not a skilful general, nor was he a brave king, but he had no doubt that he would conquer Alexander. When Alexander still lingered in one of the coast towns, Darius deemed that it was cowardice that kept him there, so little did he know of the character of his foe. It was illness alone that kept Alexander from advancing against the great king. Some said that it was the hardships of the battlefield that had made the king ill, others that while he was still heated after a long march he had bathed in a river, the waters of which were very cold. To the dismay of his soldiers, who adored their brave leader, the king grew worse and worse. He was so ill that it seemed that he must die. His physicians were afraid to give the king medicine, for should he die they would be accused of giving him poison. At length one of the physicians, named Philip, to whom Alexander had shown great kindness, determined that whatever happened to him, he would do his utmost to save the king’s life. Alexander himself was content to take what Philip ordered, so impatient was he to be well and at the head of his army once again. So Philip left the king for a few moments to prepare the medicine that he believed would cure him. While he was absent, a letter was brought to Alexander from his officer Parmenio. It besought the king not to trust Philip, as he had been bribed by Darius to poison him. Vast sums of money and the hand of the great king’s daughter, said Parmenio, were to be the reward of the physician. When Alexander had read the letter, he put it under his pillow, showing it to no one, not even to his beloved friend Hephæstion. He had no sooner done so than Philip returned with the medicine. The king took it without hesitation. Then, drawing the letter from beneath his pillow, he bade his physician read it. Philip was horrified as he read the false accusation, and flinging himself down by the bed, he entreated the king to trust him and to fear nothing. The drug was a powerful one, and after taking it the king was unconscious for hours. His nurses whispered to one another that he was dead. But after a time he opened his eyes, weak indeed, but no longer in danger. Philip tended him until his strength returned, and he was at length able to go out to show himself to his Macedonians. For they had been in constant fear lest aught should befall their king, and nothing would satisfy them until they had seen his face. CHAPTER XCV DARIUS GALLOPS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD As soon as he had recovered from his illness, Alexander led his army to meet Darius. He found the great king in the pass of Issus, in October 333 B.C. Darius had first encamped on the plain of Issus, in a strong position, where his vast army would have had room to fight. But he dreamed that Alexander would try to escape him, so he ordered his men to march through the narrow mountain passes to meet the enemy.