Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/12

 4 CONSTRUCTION OF THE FORT [iv called Coryphasium. The other generals argued that there were plenty of desolate promontories on the coast of Pelo- ponnesus which he might occupy if he wanted to waste the public money. But Demosthenes thought that this par- ticular spot had exceptional advantages. There was a harbour ready at hand ; the Messenians, who were the ancient inhabitants of the country and spoke the same language with the Lacedaemonians, would make descents from the fort and do the greatest mischief; and they would be a trusty garrison. 4 As neither generals nor soldiers would listen to him, he The Aihenians are at last Communicated his idea to the detained by stress of officers of divisions ; who would not wea let. eng i le jjg^gj^ j^ j^jj^^ either. The weather was tdea ts taken up and carried out by the com- Still Unfit for sailing; he was therefore 7non soldiers. compelled to remain doing nothing; until at length the soldiers, who had nothing to do, were themselves seized with a desire to come round and fortify the place forthwith. So they put their hands to the work ; and, being unprovided with iron tools, brought stones which they picked out and put them together as they happened to fit ; if they required to use mortar, having no hods, they carried it on their backs, which they bent so as to form a resting-place for it, clasping their hands behind them that it might not fall off. By every means in their power they hurried on the weaker points, wanting to finish them before the Lacedaemonians arrived. The position was in most places so strongly fortified by nature as to have no need of a wall. 5 The Lacedaemonians, who were just then celebrating ^,, . , a festival », made light of the news. The fort ts completed. it- • i , in six days; Jive ships ^cing under the mipression that they are left with Demo- could easily storm the fort whenever stlunes,therestgoonto ^^ ^^^^^^ j^ ^^^^^^ j^ ^^,^^ |f jj^^ Corcyra. a i • i- i r , Athenians did not run away of them- selves at their approach. They were also delayed by the
 * Cp. V. 54 ; V. 89 init.