Having come to this
decision, they caused a great number of fires to be lighted, and then
gave the order for an immediate start, hoping by this means to steal a
march on the enemy. This sudden flight through the darkness, in a
hostile country, with unknown terrors around them, caused something
like a panic in the Athenian army.
Nicias, however, who was still leading the van, contrived to keep his
men together, and made good progress; but the division under
Demosthenes fell into great disorder, and was left far behind. By
daybreak, both divisions [Footnote: See note, p. 242.] were within
sight of the sea, and entering the road which runs north and south
between Syracuse and Helorus, they continued their march towards the
river Cacyparis. Here they intended to turn off into the interior,
with the assistance of the Sicels, whom they expected to meet at the
river. But when they reached the ford of the Cacyparis, they found,
instead of the Sicels, a contingent of Syracusan troops, who were
raising a wall and palisade to block the passage. This obstruction was
overcome without much difficulty, and the whole Athenian army crossed
the river in safety. But the presence of the enemy on this side of
Syracuse was sufficient to deter them from taking the inland route by
the valley of the Cacyparis, and following the advice of their guides,
they kept the main road, and pressed on towards the south.
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