This affair left Nikias in sole command, and he had great hopes of taking the place; for many cities in Sicily had formed alliances with him, ships laden with corn kept arriving to supply his camp, and all began to be eager to be on his side, and to share in the fruits of his success.  The Syracusans themselves sent to propose terms of peace, for they despaired of being able to defend their city any longer against him.  At this time Gylippus too, a Lacedaemonian who was sent to assist them, heard during his voyage that they were completely enclosed and reduced to great straits, but held on his voyage notwithstanding, in order that even if, as he imagined, all Sicily had fallen into the hands of the Athenians, he might at any rate defend the Greek cities in Italy from sharing its fate.  The air indeed was full of rumours that the Athenians were carrying all before them, and that the good fortune and skill of their general rendered him invincible.  Even Nikias himself was so elated by his apparent good fortune, that he forgot his wonted prudence, and imagining from the secret intelligence which he had from his friends within Syracuse that it was on the point of surrender, neglected Gylippus altogether, and kept so bad a watch at the straits of Messina with his fleet, that Gylippus managed to cross there and land in Sicily.  Here he at once proceeded to gather an army together, but in a quarter of the island far away from Syracuse, so that the people of Syracuse knew nothing of his arrival.  They even appointed a day for the public assembly to meet and discuss terms of surrender with Nikias, and were about to attend it, as they thought that it would be best for them to come to terms before the city was quite surrounded by the wall of the Athenians.  There was now only a very small portion of this left to be finished, and all the materials for building it were collected on the spot.

XIX.  At this crisis there arrived at Syracuse Gongylus, a Corinthian, in one trireme.  All crowded round him, to hear what news he brought.  He informed them that Gylippus would soon come to their aid by land, and that other triremes besides his own were on their way by sea.  This intelligence was scarcely believed, until it was confirmed by a message from Gylippus himself, bidding them march out and meet him.  They now took courage and prepared for battle.  Gylippus marched into the town, and at once led the Syracusans out to attack the Athenians.  When Nikias had likewise brought his army out of their camp, Gylippus halted his men, and sent a herald to offer them an armistice for five days, on condition that they would collect their effects and withdraw from Sicily.  Nikias disdained to answer this insulting message; but some of his soldiers jeeringly enquired whether the presence of one Spartan cloak and staff had all at once made the Syracusans so strong that they could despise the Athenians, who used to keep three hundred such men, stronger than Gylippus and