Page:Thucydides, translated into English Vol 2.djvu/336

 328 MIDNIGHT PANIC [vil the sea in the direction opposite to that from which the Syracusans were watching them. Now their whole Hne of march lay, not towards Catana, but towards the other side of Sicil}^, in the direction of Camarina and Gela, and the cities, Hellenic or Barbarian, of that region. So they lighted numerous fires and departed in the night. And then, as constantly happens in armies*, especially in very great ones, and as might be expected when they were marching by night in an enemy's country, and with the enemy from whom they were fl3'ing not far off, there arose a panic among them, and they fell into confusion. The army of Nicias, which was leading the wa}', kept together, and got on considerably in advance, but that of Demo- sthenes, which was the larger half, was severed from the other division, and marched in worse order. At daybreak, however, they succeeded in reaching the sea, and striking into the Helorine road marched along it, intending as soon as they arrived at the Cacyparis to follow up the course of the river through the interior of the island. They were expecting that the Sicels for whom they had sent would meet them on this road. When they had reached the river they found there also a guard of the Syra- cusans cutting off the passage by a wall and palisade. They forced their way through and, crossing the river, passed on towards another river which is called the Erineus, this being the direction in which their guides led them. 8i When daylight broke and the Syracusans and their allies The Syracusaus soon ^^^^ ^hat the Athenians had departed, ovaiake the division of most of them thought that Gylippus Demosthenes, ivhich is had let them go on purpose, and were sunvunded by them. ■., 1 • -rx -i ■^ very angry with him. Ihey easily found the line of their retreat, and quickly following, came up with them about the time of the midday meal. The troops of Demosthenes were last; they were marching Cp. iv. 125 init.