There is no power in
Sicily which can resist us, either to prevent our coming or to shorten
our stay. A few days march will bring us to the country of the
friendly Sicels, who have already received notice of our approach.
Once there, we can defy all attack, and look forward to the time when
we shall see our homes again, and raise up the fallen power of
Athens."
These and similar exhortations were repeated by Nicias again and
again, as the army moved slowly forwards up the valley of the Anapus,
keeping a westerly direction, towards the interior of the island. The
troops were formed in a hollow oblong, with the baggage animals and
camp-followers in the middle, and advanced in two divisions, Nicias
leading the van, and Demosthenes bringing up the rear. The vigilance
and activity of Nicias never relaxed for a moment. Careless of his
many infirmities and exalted rank, he passed incessantly up and down
the column, chiding the stragglers, and attending to the even trim of
his lines. On reaching the ford of the Anapus, they put to flight a
detachment of the enemy which was stationed there to oppose their
passage, and crossing the river, continued their march. But now the
real difficulties of the retreat began to appear. The Syracusans had
no intention of hazarding a pitched battle, but their horsemen and
light infantry hung upon the flanks of the Athenian army, making
sudden charges, and keeping up a constant discharge of javelins.
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