_Crossing Rivers on Skins_ (Vol. iii., p. 3.).--To the _Latin_ authors
cited by JANUS DOUSA illustrating this practice, allow me to add the
following from the Greek. Xenophon, in his _Anabasis_, lib. iii. cap. v.,
so clearly exhibits the _modus operandi_, that I shall give a translation
of the passage:
"And while they were at a loss what to do, a certain Rhodian came up
and said, 'I am ready to ferry you over, O men! by 4000 heavy armed men
at a {398} time, if you furnish me with what I want, and will give me a
talent as a reward.' And being asked of what he stood in need:--'I
shall want,' said he, '2000 leathern bags; and I see here many sheep,
and goats, and oxen, and asses; which, being flayed, and (their skins)
inflated, would readily furnish a means of transport. And I shall
require also the girths, which you use for the beasts of burden. And on
these,' said he, 'having bound the leathern bags, and fastened them one
to another, and affixing stones, and letting them down like anchors,
and binding them on either side, I will lay on wood, and put earth over
them. And that you will not then sink, you shall presently very clearly
perceive; for each leathern bag will support two men from sinking, and
the wood and earth will keep them from slipping."
Skins, or tent coverings, stuffed with hay, appear also to have been very
generally used for this purpose (Vid. Id., lib. i. cap. v.). Arrian relates
(lib. v. Exped. cap. 12.) that Alexander used this contrivance for crossing
the Hydaspes:
"[Greek: Autos de (Alexandros)--agon epi ten neson kai ten akran,
enthen diabainein en egnosmenon. Kai entautha eplerounto tes nuktos hai
diphtherai tes karphes ek pollou ede parenenegmenai, kai katerrhaptonto
es akribeian.]"