number if we allowed you to stand in the way of the independence that
we offer to all. Endeavour, therefore, to decide wisely, and strive to
begin the work of liberation for the Hellenes, and lay up for
yourselves endless renown, while you escape private loss, and cover your
commonwealth with glory."

Such were the words of Brasidas. The Acanthians, after much had been
said on both sides of the question, gave their votes in secret, and the
majority, influenced by the seductive arguments of Brasidas and by fear
for their fruit, decided to revolt from Athens; not however admitting
the army until they had taken his personal security for the oaths sworn
by his government before they sent him out, assuring the independence of
the allies whom he might bring over. Not long after, Stagirus, a colony
of the Andrians, followed their example and revolted.

Such were the events of this summer. It was in the first days of the
winter following that the places in Boeotia were to be put into the
hands of the Athenian generals, Hippocrates and Demosthenes, the latter
of whom was to go with his ships to Siphae, the former to Delium. A
mistake, however, was made in the days on which they were each to start;
and Demosthenes, sailing first to Siphae, with the Acarnanians and many
of the allies from those parts on board, failed to effect anything,
through the plot having been betrayed by Nicomachus, a Phocian from
Phanotis, who told the Lacedaemonians, and they the Boeotians. Succours
accordingly flocked in from all parts of Boeotia, Hippocrates not being
yet there to make his diversion, and Siphae and Chaeronea were promptly
secured, and the conspirators, informed of the mistake, did not venture
on any movement in the towns.

Meanwhile Hippocrates made a levy in mass of the citizens, resident
aliens, and foreigners in Athens, and arrived at his destination after
the Boeotians had already come back from Siphae, and encamping his
army began to fortify Delium, the sanctuary of Apollo, in the following
manner. A trench was dug all round the temple and the consecrated
ground, and the earth thrown up from the excavation was made to do
duty as a wall, in which stakes were also planted, the vines round the
sanctuary being cut down and thrown in, together with stones and bricks
pulled down from the houses near; every means, in short, being used
to run up the rampart. Wooden towers were also erected where they
were wanted, and where there was no