Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 1.djvu/287

 9o] THE ATHENIANS OUT-MA NCEUVRED 171 managed the confined space is a disadvantage. Unless the captain of a ship see his enemy a good way off he cannot come on or strike properly ; nor can he retreat when he is pressed hard. The manoeuvres suited to fast-sailing vessels, such as breaking of the line or returning to the charge, cannot be practised in a narrow space. The sea- fight must of necessity be reduced to a land-fight « in which numbers tell. For all this I shall do my best to provide. Do you meanwhile keep order and remain close to your ships. Be prompt in taking your instructions, for the enemy is near at hand and watching us. In the moment of action remember the value of silence and order, which are always important in war, especially at sea. Repel the enemy in a spirit worthy of your former exploits. There is much at stake ; for you will either destroy the rising hope of the Peloponnesian navy, or bring home to Athens the fear of losing the sea. Once more I remind you that you have beaten most of the enemy's fleet already ; and, once defeated, men do not meet the same dangers with their old spirit.' Thus did Phormio encourage his sailors. The Peloponnesians, when they found that the Athenians 90 would not enter the straits or the gulf, . . The Pelopo)i>iesians determined to draw them in against by a fcig>ud aiiack on their will. So they weighed anchor Naupiutns draw the 1-^1 • J „• ™ti,^;.. Athoiiaiis into the sitlf. early ni the mornmg, and, rangmg their jj, , ■ V ai » o o ^,^^l^ suddenly turning ships four deep, stood in towards the ^^p(,,^ them, drive inost gulf ^ along their own coast ^, keeping 0/ their vessels upon the order in which they were anchored. '(';'■'■ .^'"""^ '^  •' . Alessenmns. The right wing, consisting of twenty of their fastest vessels, took the lead. These were intended to close upon the Athenians and prevent them from eluding their attack and getting beyond the wing in case Phormio, apprehending an attack upon Naupactus, should sail along a Cp. vii. 62. '' Reading Trapa for Im with the Laurentian and three other MSS. Or, adopting the conjecture €kuvojv for lavrwy : ' making for the enemy's shore, and ' inc.