spare themselves a little in order not to be cut off in the
moment of victory, thinking too that, as it was, they would be able in
this way to subdue and capture the enemy.

In fact, after plying the Athenians and allies all day long from every
side with missiles, they at length saw that they were worn out with
their wounds and other sufferings; and Gylippus and the Syracusans and
their allies made a proclamation, offering their liberty to any of the
islanders who chose to come over to them; and some few cities went
over. Afterwards a capitulation was agreed upon for all the rest with
Demosthenes, to lay down their arms on condition that no one was to
be put to death either by violence or imprisonment or want of the
necessaries of life. Upon this they surrendered to the number of six
thousand in all, laying down all the money in their possession, which
filled the hollows of four shields, and were immediately conveyed by the
Syracusans to the town.

Meanwhile Nicias with his division arrived that day at the river
Erineus, crossed over, and posted his army upon some high ground upon
the other side. The next day the Syracusans overtook him and told him
that the troops under Demosthenes had surrendered, and invited him to
follow their example. Incredulous of the fact, Nicias asked for a truce
to send a horseman to see, and upon the return of the messenger with
the tidings that they had surrendered, sent a herald to Gylippus and the
Syracusans, saying that he was ready to agree with them on behalf of the
Athenians to repay whatever money the Syracusans had spent upon the war
if they would let his army go; and offered until the money was paid to
give Athenians as hostages, one for every talent. The Syracusans and
Gylippus rejected this proposition, and attacked this division as they
had the other, standing all round and plying them with missiles until
the evening. Food and necessaries were as miserably wanting to the
troops of Nicias as they had been to their comrades; nevertheless they
watched for the quiet of the night to resume their march. But as they
were taking up their arms the Syracusans perceived it and raised their
paean, upon which the Athenians, finding that they were discovered, laid
them down again, except about three hundred men who forced their way
through the guards and went on during the night as they were able.

As soon as it was day Nicias put his army in motion, pressed, as before,
by the Syracusans and