Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/334

 326 RETREAT OF THE ATHENIANS [vil his command, and gave them similar exhortations. The The Athenians move ^rmy marched disposed in a hollow on in hvo divisions, one oblong : the division of Nicias leading, under Ntcias, and the ^^^^ j^^j ^f Demosthenes following ; 11h7nes"''They fu'cZd ^he hoplitcs enclosed within their ranks in passing the fiver the baggage-bearers and the rest of the Anapus, and proceed i^ogt. When they arrived at the ford a fciv miles southward. /-,. . . .. /- a r The Syraeusans over- ^^ ^he nverAnapus they found a force take them and occupy of the Syracusans and of their allies a steep pass on their drawn up to meet them ; these they put to flight, and getting command of the ford, proceeded on their march. The Syracusans continually harassed them, the cavalry riding alongside, and the light-armed troops hurling darts at them. On this day the Athenians proceeded about four and a half miles and encamped at a hill. On the next day they started early, and, having advanced more than two miles, descended into a level plain, and encamped. The country was inhabited, and they were desirous of obtain- ing food from the houses, and also water which they might carry with them, as there was little to be had for many miles in the country which lay before them. Mean- while the Syracusans had gone forward, and at a point where the road ascends a steep hill called the Acraean height, and there is a precipitous ravine on either side, were blocking up the pass by a wall. On the next day the Athenians advanced, although again impeded by the numbers of the enemy's cavalry who rode alongside, and of their javelin-men who threw darts at them. For a long time the Athenians maintained the struggle, but at last re- tired to their own encampment. Their supplies were now cut off, because the horsemen circumscribed their movements. 79 In the morning they started early and resumed their The Athenians mate march. They pressed onwards to the no impression on the hill where the Way was barred, and Syracusan pos.tion. ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^j- ^^^^ ^^^ SyraCUSan infantry drawn up to defend the wall, in deep array, for