During the next day the
Syracusans remained inactive, and Nicias employed the interval in
repairing the ships which had suffered damage, and providing for the
defence of his fleet. The Athenian naval station was protected by a
row of piles, rammed into the bottom of the sea, forming a semi-
circular breastwork, with an opening about two hundred feet wide,
where the ships passed in and out. On either side of this entrance
Nicias caused a merchant vessel to be moored, and each vessel was
provided with an engine called a dolphin, a heavy mass of lead,
suspended from the yard-arm, which could be dropped on the deck of any
hostile trireme attempting to pass.
Early on the following morning the Syracusans resumed hostilities both
by sea and land, and after several hours of desultory fighting, they
drew off their fleet, and sailed back to their station under the walls
of the city. The Athenians were well pleased by this sudden relief,
and concluding that their work was done for the day, they disembarked
at leisure, and began to prepare their midday meal. But before they
had time to snatch a mouthful, the whole Syracusan fleet was seen
advancing again from the opposite shore, and the hungry and weary
Athenian crews were summoned on board to repel a second attack.
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