79, 8o] CHANGE OF ROUTE 327 the pass was narrow. Whereupon the Athenians advanced and assaulted the barrier, but the enemy, who were numerous and had the advantage of position, threw missiles upon them from the hill, which was steep, and so, not being able to force their way, they again retired and rested. During the conflict, as is often the case in the fall of the year, there came on a storm of rain and thunder, whereby the Athenians were yet more disheartened, for they thought that everything was conspiring to their destruction ^ While they were resting, Gylippus and the Syracusans despatched a division of their army to raise a wall behind them across the road by which they had come ; but the Athenians sent some of their own troops and frustrated their intention. They then retired with their whole army in the direction of the plain and passed the night. On the following day they again advanced. The Syracusans now surrounded and attacked them on every side, and wounded many of them. If the Athenians advanced they retreated, but charged them when they retired, falling especially upon the hindermost of them, in the hope that, if they could put to flight a few at a time, they might strike a panic into the whole army. In this fashion the Athenians struggled on for a long time, and having ad- vanced about three-quarters of a mile rested in the plain. The S3Tacusans then left them and returned to their own encampment. The army was now in a miserable plight, being in want 80 of every necessary ; and by the con- j,^^ ^^,,^.^.^,^ ^^ ^,^^ tinual assaults of the enemy great num- Athenians grows ivoise bers of the soldiers had been wounded. «'"' «'«-s^- ^' "'ff' ■»,. . , T^ ,1 • • //'<*)' cliaiipc their route Nicias and Demosthenes, perceivmg ^,;^ ^^ *^^^^,.^^ ^,,^ their condition, resolved during the 5^^. a panic occurs. night to light as many watch-fires as Nicias crosses the possible and to lead off their forces. Cacyparis. They intended to take another route and march towards " Cp. vi. 70 init. VOL. II. Z
