] but he was prevented
from effecting his purpose, and compelled to take his place in the
mournful procession which was now conducted by a strong guard along
the road to Syracuse.
Meanwhile the vanguard under Nicias, in total ignorance of the fate
which had befallen their comrades, marched steadily forwards, and
crossing the river Erineus, encamped for the night on a neighbouring
hill. Here they were found next morning by Gylippus and the
Syracusans, who informed them that Demosthenes and his men had
surrendered, and called upon them to do the same. Doubting their good
faith, Nicias obtained a truce, while he sent a horseman to ascertain
the facts; and even when he had learnt the truth from his messenger,
he still tried to parley, offering, in the name of the Athenian state,
to defray the whole cost of the war, and to give hostages for payment,
at the rate of an Athenian citizen for each talent, on condition that
he and his men were allowed to go. But the Syracusans were in no mood
to listen to such proposals, even if Nicias had spoken with full
authority from Athens. Bare life they would grant, but no more, and as
the Athenians refused to yield on these terms, they closed in upon
them, and the cruel, hopeless struggle began again, and continued
until evening.
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