270 DION. delivered up the place again to Synalus, without the least damage done to any one therein, and Synalus quartered and entertained the soldiers, and supplied Dion with what he wanted. They were most of all encouraged by the happy acci- dent of Dionysius's absence at this nick of time ; for it appeared that he was lately gone with eighty sail of ships to Italy. Therefore, when Dion was desirous that the soldiers should refresh themselves there, after their tedious and troublesome voyage, they would not be pre- vailed with, but, earnest to make the best use of that opportunity, they m^ged Dion to lead them straight on to Syracuse. Leaving therefore their baggage, and the arms they did not use, Dion desu-ed Synalus to convey them to him as he had occasion, and marched directly to Syracuse. The first that came in to him upon his march were two hundred horse of the Agrigentines who were settled near Ecnomum, and, after them, the Geloans. But the news soon flying to Syracuse, Timocrates, who had mar- ried Dion's wife, the sister of Dionysius, and was the principal man among his friends now remaining in the city, immediately despatched a courier to Dionysius with letters announcing Dion's arrival ; while he himself took all possible care to prevent any stir or tumult in the city, where all were in great excitement, but as yet continued quiet, fearing to give too much credit to what was reported. A very strange accident happened to the mes- senger who was sent with the letters ; for being arrived in Italy, as he travelled through the land of Ehegium, hastening to Dionysius at Caulonia, he met one of his acquaintance, who was carrying home part of a sacrifice. He accepted a piece of the flesh, which his friend offered him, and proceeded on his journey with all speed ; hav- ing travelled a good part of the night, and being through
