But for the
present the Syracusans were contented with their victory, and after
chasing the fugitive triremes as far as their defences, they wheeled
and rowed back across the Great Harbour, through floating corpses, and
the wrecks of more than seventy vessels. On their arrival at Syracuse
they were hailed with such a burst of enthusiasm as had rarely been
witnessed in any Greek city. The victory, indeed, had been dearly
bought, but it was well worth the cost, and the power of Athens had
sustained a blow from which it could never recover. But among all the
thronging hosts of Syracuse, who now gave themselves up to revel and
rejoicing, there was one man at least who knew that even now the
danger was not yet past. Forty thousand Athenian soldiers were still
encamped within sight of the walls, and if they were allowed to
escape, they might establish themselves in some friendly city, and
begin the war again. All this was strongly felt by Hermocrates, and he
lost no time in imparting his cares and anxieties to the responsible
leaders. The Athenians, he urged, would be almost certain to decamp
during the night: let a strong force be sent out at once from
Syracuse, to occupy all the roads, and cut off their retreat. The
advice was good, but in the present temper of the army it was felt to
be impracticable.
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