RETURN OF THE ATHENIAN FLEET TO PYLUS. 323 mosely lashed together. Both entrances were left open, though they determined to defend themselves within : but even here, so defective were their precautions, that several of their triremes were yet moored, and the rowers not fully aboard, when the Athenian admirals sailed in by both entrances at once to attack them. Most of the Lacedaemonian triremes, afloat, and in fight- ing trim, resisted the attack for a certain time, but were at length vanquished, and driven back to the shore, many of them with serious injury. 1 Five of them were captured and towed off, one with all her crew aboard . and the Athenians, vigorously pursu- ing their success, drove against such as took refuge on the shore, as well as those which were not manned at the moment when the attack began, and had not been able to get afloat or into action. Some of the vanquished triremes being deserted by their crews, who jumped out upon the land, the Athenians were proceeding to tow them off, when the Lacedaemonian hoplites on the shore opposed a new and strenuous resistance. Excited to the utmost pitch by witnessing the disgraceful defeat of their fleet, and aware of the cruel consequences which turned upon it, they marched all armed into the water, seized the ships to prevent them from being dragged off, and engaged in a desperate conflict to baffle the assailants : we have already seen a similar act of bravery, two years before, on the part of the Messenian hoplites accompanying the fleet of Phormio near Naupaktus. 2 Extraor- dinary daring and valor was here displayed on both sides, in the attack as well as in the defence, and such was the clamor and confusion, that neither the land skill of the Lacedaemonians, nor the sea skill of the Athenians, were of much avail : the contest was one of personal valor and considerable suffering on both sides. At length the Lacedaemonians carried their point, and saved all the ships ashore ; none being carried away except those at first captured. Both parties thus separated : the Athenians retired to the fortress at Pylus, where they were doubtless hailed 1 Thucyd. iv, 14. Irpuaav fj.lv vroAAaf, TTEVTE (5' ehafiov. We cannot in English speak of wounding a trireme, though the Greek word is both lively and accurate, to represent the blow inflicted by the impinging beak of an enemy's ship.
- See above, in this History, chap.
