Page:History of Greece Vol IX.djvu/399

TELEUTIAS GAINS RICH PLUNDER. 377 A little after dark, Teleutias quitted the harbor of -ZEgina, with- out telling any one whither he was going. Eowing leisurely, and allowing his men alternate repose on their oars, he found himself before morning within half a mile of Peirseus, where he waited until day was just dawning, and then led his squadron straight into the harbor. Everything turned out as he expected ; there was not the least idea of being attacked, nor the least preparation for defence. Not a single trireme was manned or in fighting con- dition, but several were moored without their crews, together with merchant-vessels, loaded as well as empty. Teleutias directed the captains of his squadron to drive against the triremes, and disable them ; but by no means to damage the beaks of their own ships by trying to disable the merchant-ships. Even at that early hour, many Athenians were abroad, and the arrival of the unexpected assailants struck every one with surprise and consternation. Loud and vague cries transmitted the news through all Peiraeus, and from Peirgeus up to Athens, where it was beh'eved that their har- bor was actually taken. Every man having run home for his arms, the whole force of the city rushed impetuously down thither, with one accord, hoplites as well as horsemen. But before such suc- cors could arrive, Teleutias had full tune to do considerable mis- chief. His seamen boarded the larger merchant-ships, seizing both the men and the portable goods which they found aboard. Some even jumped ashore on the quay (called the Deigma), laid hands on the tradesmen, ship-masters, and pilots, whom they saw near, and carried them away captive. Various smaller vessels with their entire cargoes were also towed away ; and even three or four tri- remes. With ah 1 these Teleutias sailed safely out of Peirgeus, sending some of his squadron to escort the prizes to -ZEgina, while he himself with the remainder sailed southward along the coast. As he was seen to come out of Peiraeus, his triremes were mis- taken for Athenian, and excited no alarm ; so that he thus cap- tured several fishing-boats, and passage-boats coming with passen- gers from the islands to Athens, together with some merchant- men carrying corn and other goods, at Sunium. All were carried safely into .ZEgina. 1 The enterprise of Teleutias, thus admirably concerted and 1 Xen. Hellen. v, 1, 18- -22.