These were
followed by others, armed with javelins, whose shields were handed up
to them from below as they ascended, to enable them to climb the more
easily. Several of this party had got up in safety, when one of those
who were following dislodged a tile as he grasped the battlements. The
sound of the falling tile alarmed the guards in the towers, and soon
the whole besieging force was in a commotion. But being bewildered by
the darkness, and deafened by the tempest which was blowing, they knew
not which way to turn, and remained at their quarters, waiting for
orders. And at the same time the Plataeans left in the town made a
feigned attack on the Peloponnesian wall at the opposite side to
divert the attention of the enemy. In the general confusion thus
created the besiegers were at a loss what to do, and three hundred of
their men, who were kept together for prompt service on any pressing
occasion, took up their station before the outer wall, thinking that
the Athenians had come to relieve the town. Fire-signals were now
kindled by the Peloponnesians, to summon help from Thebes; but the
Plataeans were prepared for this also, and they kindled other beacons
which had been raised for the purpose on their wall, so as to obscure
the meaning of the enemy's signals, and delay the march of the
Thebans, until their own comrades had had time to escape.
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