Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/33

 29-3 Demosthenes was led to make these reflections from his 30 experience in Aetolia% where his de- ^-^^ ^,^^,^.^^ ^^ ^,^^ feat had been in a great measure owing Kood discovers the man- to the forest. However, while the ber and position of the Athenian soldierswerc taking their mid- ""^"'y- day meal, with a guard posted in advance, at the extre- mity of the island, compelled as they were by want of room to land on the edge of the shore at me^l-times, some one unintentionally set fire to a portion of the wood ; a wind came on ; and from this accident, before they knew what was happening, the greater part of it was burnt. Demo- sthenes, who had previously suspected that the Lacedae- monians when they sent in provisions to the besieged had exaggerated their number, saw that the men were more numerous than he had imagined. He saw too^ the increased zeal of the Athenians, who were now convinced that the attempt was worth making ; and the island seemed to him more accessible. So he prepared for the descent, despatching messengers to the allies in the neighbourhood for additional forces and putting all in readiness. Cleon sent and announced to Demosthenes his approach, and soon afterwards, bringing with him the army which he had requested, himself arrived at Pylos. On the meeting of the two generals they first of all sent a herald to the Lace- daemonian force on the mainland, proposing that they should avoid any further risk by ordering the men in the island to surrender with their arms ; they were to be placed under surveillance but well treated until a general peace was concluded. Finding that their proposal was rejected, the Athenians 31 waited for a day, and on the night of ^. . . . . ■^ .... Disposition of the the day following put off, takmg with Lacedaemonian forces them all their heavy-armed troops, i>i three stations, the whom they had embarked in a few '''""' body occupying •' the centre of the island. ships. A little before dawn they landed on both sides of the island, towards the sea and " Cp. iii. 98. '' Reading tJ rf. D 2
 * ] THE PLAN OF DEMOSTHENES 25