Provisions
were now growing scanty, and every attempt to leave their lines in
search of plunder and forage was baffled by the Syracusan horse.
On the fourth day they broke up their camp early, and by incessant
fighting succeeded in forcing their way as far as the pass. But all
further advance was prevented by the wall, and the dense masses of
infantry posted behind it. In vain the Athenians flung themselves
again and again upon the barrier. The troops stationed on the cliffs
above assailed them with a shower of missiles, and the solid phalanx
of hoplites repulsed every assault. Convinced at last that they were
wasting their strength to no purpose, they desisted, and retiring from
the wall halted at some distance for a brief interval of repose.
During this pause a storm of rain and thunder broke over their heads;
and to the weary and disheartened Athenians it seemed that the very
elements were in league with the enemy against them. But they had
little time to indulge in these melancholy reflections; for while they
were resting, Gylippus stole round to their rear, and prepared to cut
off their retreat by building a second wall across the pass. The news
of this imminent peril roused the Athenians from their stupor, and
they marched back with all speed along the road by which they had
come.
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