Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/184

158 HISTORY OF GREECE. ron to the Strait of Messina, and next, hoping by a stratagem to frighten the garrison of Ortygia into surrender, had sailed to the harbor" of Syracuse with his triremes decorated as if after a victo- ry. His seamen with wreaths round their heads, shouted as they passed into the harbor under the walls of Ortygia, that the Corin- thian squadron approaching the strait had been all captured, and exhibited as proofs of the victory certain Grecian shields hung up aboard. By this silly fabrication, Hanno probably produced a serious dismay among the garrison of Ortygia. But he purchased such temporary satisfaction at the cost of leaving the strait un- guarded, and allowing the Corinthian division to cross unopposed from Italy into Sicily. On reaching Rhegium, they not only found the strait free, but also a complete and sudden calm, suc- ceeding upon several days of stormy weather. Embarking im- mediately on such ferry boats and fishing craft as they could find, and swimming their horses alongside by the bridle, they reached the Sicilian coast without loss or difficulty. 1 Thus did the gods again show their favor towards Timoleon by an unusual combination of circumstances, and by smiting the ene- my with blindness. So much did the tide of success run along with him, that the important town of Messene declared itself among his allies, admitting the new Corinthian soldiers immediate- ly on their landing. With little delay, they proceeded forward to join Timoleon ; who thought himself strong enough, notwithstand- ing that even with this reinforcement he could only command four thousand men, to march up to the vicinity of Syracuse, and there Jo confront the immeasurably superior force of his enemies. 2 He appears to have encamped near the Olympieion, and the bridge over the river Anapus. Though Timoleon was sure of the cooperation of Neon and the Corinthian garrison in Ortygia and Achradina, yet he was separated from them by the numerous force of Hiketas and Ma- gon, who occupied Epipolae, Neapolis, and Tycha, together with the low ground between Epipolse and the Great Harbor ; while the large Carthaginian fleet filled the Harbor itself. On a reason- able calculation, Timoleon seemed to have little chance of success But suspicion had already begun in the mind of Magon, sowing 1 Plutarch Timoleon, 19. * Plutarch, Timoleon, c. 20.