besides this Alkibiades had some suspicions of treachery among
them, he rode away. On the fifth day however, when the Athenians,
after their customary offer of battle, had returned as usual, in a
careless and negligent manner, Lysander sent out some ships to
reconnoitre, with orders to row back again with all speed as soon as
they saw the Athenians disembark, and when they reached the middle of
the straits to hoist a brazen shield over their bows as a signal for
advance. He himself sailed from ship to ship, addressing the steersmen
and captains of each, urging them to be in their place with their full
complement both of rowers and fighting-men on deck, and at the signal
to row strongly and cheerfully against the enemy.

When the shield was raised, and the signal given by trumpet from the
flag-ship, the fleet put to sea, while the land force marched rapidly
along the shore towards the promontory. The straits here are only
fifteen furlongs wide, a distance which was soon passed by the zeal of
the Lacedaemonian rowers. Konon was the first of the Athenian generals
who perceived the fleet approaching. He at once called out to the men
to embark, and in his agony of distress at the disaster, ordered,
implored, and forced them into their ships. But all his zeal was
useless, scattered as the crews were; for as soon as they disembarked
they at once, not expecting any attack, began some to purchase food in
the market, some to stroll about, while some went to sleep in their
tents, and some began to cook, without the least mistrust of that
which befel them, through the ignorance and inexperience of their
leaders. As by this time the enemy were close upon them, with loud
cries and noise of oars, Konon with eight ships made his way safely
through the enemy, and escaped to the court of Evagoras, king of
Cyprus. As to the rest of the ships, the Peloponnesians took some of
them empty, and sank the others as the sailors endeavoured to get on
board of them. Of these men, many perished near their ships, as they
ran to them in disorderly crowds, without arms, while others who fled
away on land were killed by the enemy, who landed and went in pursuit
of them. Besides these, three thousand men, including the generals,
were taken prisoners. Lysander also captured the entire fleet, with
the exception of the sacred trireme called the Paralus, and the eight
ships which escaped with Konon. After plundering the camp, and taking
all the captured shi