Gylippus himself
was marching unhindered up and down the island, passing from city to
city, and raising reinforcements of ships and men; and a second
embassy had been despatched by the Syracusans, to carry the news of
their victory to Corinth and Sparta, and ask for further help. Another
ominous sign of coming events was the bustle and activity now visible
in the dockyards of Syracuse and the waters of the Little Harbour; for
the Syracusans had turned their attention seriously to their fleet,
and thought of nothing less than attacking the Athenians on their own
element.
These symptoms of renewed confidence and energy were observed by
Nicias with growing disquiet. And if he turned his eyes to his own
camp, he saw little to relieve his anxiety. For the predictions of
Lamachus had been fulfilled to the letter. By his fatal policy of
procrastination Nicias had frittered away the resources of the most
splendid armament that ever set sail from Peiraeus. His soldiers were
infected by the despondency of their leader, and many of them were
stricken by the marsh-fever which haunts the unwholesome district of
the Anapus. Above all the condition of the fleet showed the lamentable
effect of long inaction and delay. All the supplies of the Athenians
came to them by sea, and in order to keep their communications open,
it was necessary to keep the whole of the fleet on constant duty.
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