Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/123

SALLY FROM OKTYGIA. 97 could be received, short of total abdication ; adding in his own name, that he would himself, on the score of kindred, procure for Dionysius, if he did abdicate, both security and other reasonable concessions. These terms Dionysius affected to approve, desiring that envoys might be sent to him in Ortygia to settle the details. Both Dion and the Syracusans eagerly caught at his offer, with- out for a moment questioning his sincerity. Some of the most eminent Syracusans, approved by Dion, were despatched as en- voys to Dionysius. A general confidence prevailed, that the re- tirement of the despot was now assured ; and the soldiers and citizens employed against him, full of joy and mutual congratu- lations, became negligent of their guard on the cross-wall of blockade ; many of them even retiring to their houses in the city. This was what Dionysius expected. Contriving to prolong the discussion, so as to detain the envoys in Ortygia ah 1 night, he or- dered at daybreak a sudden sally of all his soldiers, whom he had previously stimulated both by wine and by immense promises ill case of victory. 1 The sally was well-timed and at first complete- ly successful. One half of Dion's soldiers were encamped to guard the cross-wall (the other half being quartered in Achradi- na), together with a force of Spracusan citizens. But so little were they prepared for hostilities, that the assailants, rushing out with shouts and at a run, carried the wall at the first onset, slew the sentinels, and proceeded to demolish the wall (which was probably a rough and hasty structure) as well as to charge the troops on the outside of it. The Syracusans, surprised and ter- vified, fled with little or no resistance. Their flight partially dis- ordered the stouter Dionian soldiers, who resisted bravely, but without having had time to form their regular array. Never was Dion more illustrious, both as an officer and as a soldier. He ex- erted himself to the utmost to form the troops, and to marshal them in ranks essential to the effective fighting of the Grecian hoplne. But his orders were unheard in the clamor, or disre- garded in the confusion : his troops lost courage, the assailants gained ground, and tho day seemed evidently going against him, 1 Plutarch, Dion, c. 30. t/nrhr/aaf u-cptiToi. It is rare that we read of this proceeding with so/'^iers in antiqu'ty. Diodor. xvi. 11, 12. rb VOL. XI.