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to his own security and discharge； and they likewise would more
strictly observe articles of agreement； on behalf of the Syracusans；
which they had obliged themselves to in the presence of so many
witnesses。 The design of all which was only to divert their attention；
while he got an opportunity of slipping away from their fleet； a
contrivance that all the principal Rhegians were privy and assisting
to； who had a great desire that the affairs of Sicily should fall into
Corinthian hands； and dreaded the consequences of having barbarian
neighbours。 An assembly was therefore called； and the gates shut； that
the citizens might have no liberty to turn to other business； and a
succession of speakers came forward； addressing the people at great
length； to the same effect； without bringing the subject to any
conclusion； making way each for another and purposely spinning out the
time； till the Corinthian galleys should get clear of the haven； the
Carthaginian commanders being detained there without any suspicion； as
also Timoleon still remained present； and gave signs as if he were
just preparing to make an oration。 But upon secret notice that the
rest of the galleys were already gone off； and that his alone remained
waiting for him； by the help and concealment of those Rhegians that
were about the hustings and favoured his departure； he made shift to
slip away through the crowd； and running down to the port； set sail
with all speed； and having reached his other vessels； they came all
safe to Tauromenium in Sicily； whither they had been formerly invited；
and where they were now kindly received by Andromachus； then ruler
of the city。 This man was father of Timaeus the historian； and
incomparably the best of all those that bore sway in Sicily at that
time； governing his citizens according to law and justice and openly
professing an aversion and enmity to all tyrants； upon which account
he gave Timoleon leave to muster up his troops there； and to make that
city the seat of war； persuading the inhabitants to join their arms
with the Corinthian forces； and assist them in the design of
delivering Sicily。
But the Carthaginians who were left in Rhegium perceiving； when
the assembly was dissolved； that Timoleon had given them the go…by；
were not a little vexed to see themselves out…witted； much to the
amusement of the Rhegians； who could not but smile to find Phoenicians
complain of being cheated。 However； they despatched a messenger aboard
one of their galleys to Tauromenium； who； after much blustering in the
insolent barbaric way； and many menaces to Andromachus if he did not
forthwith send the Corinthians off； stretched out his hand with the
inside upward； and then turning it down again； threatened he would
handle their city even so； and turn it topsy…turvy in as little
time； and with as much ease。 Andromachus； laughing at the man's
confidence； made no other reply； but； imitating his gesture； bid him
hasten his own departure； unless he had a mind to see that kind of
dexterity practised first upon the galley which brought him hither。
Hicetes； informed that Timoleon had made good his passage； was in
great fear of what might follow； and sent to desire the
Carthaginians that a large number of galleys might be ordered to
attend and secure the coast。 And now it was that the Syracusans
began wholly to despair of safety； seeing the Carthaginians
possessed of their haven； Hicetes master of the town； and Dionysius
supreme in the citadel； while Timoleon had as yet but a slender hold
of Sicily； as it were by the fringe or border of it； in the small city
of the Tauromenians； with a feeble hope and a poor company； having but
a thousand soldiers at the most； and no more provisions； either of
corn or money； than were just necessary for the maintenance and the
pay of that inconsiderable number。 Nor did the other towns of Sicily
confide in him； overpowered as they were with violence and outrage；
and embittered against all that should offer to lead armies by the
treacherous conduct chiefly of Callipus； an Athenian； and Pharax； a
Lacedaemonian captain； both of whom； after giving out that the
design of their coming was to introduce liberty and to depose tyrants；
so tyrannized themselves； that the reign of former oppressors seemed
to be a golden age in comparison； and the Sicilians began to
consider those more happy who had expired in servitude； than any
that had lived to see such a dismal freedom。
Looking； therefore； for no better usage from the Corinthian general；
but imagining that it was only the same old course of things once
more； specious pretences and false professions to allure them by
fair hopes and kind promises into the obedience of a new master；
they all； with one accord； unless it were the people of Adranum；
suspected the exhortations； and rejected the overtures that were
made them in his name。 These were inhabitants of a small city；
consecrated to Adranus； a certain god that was in high veneration
throughout Sicily； and； as it happened； they were then at variance
among themselves； insomuch that one party called in Hicetes and the
Carthaginians to assist them； while the other sent proposals to
Timoleon。 It so fell out that these auxiliaries； striving which should
be soonest； both arrived at Adranum about the same time； Hicetes
bringing with him at least five thousand men； while all the force
Timoleon could make did not exceed twelve hundred。 With these he
marched out of Tauromenium； which was about three hundred and forty
furlongs distant from that city。 The first day he moved but slowly；
and took up his quarters betimes after a short journey； but the day
following he quickened his pace； and； having passed through much
difficult ground； towards evening received advice that Hicetes was
just approaching Adranum； and pitching his camp before it； upon
which intelligence； his captains and other officers caused the
vanguard to halt； that the army being refreshed； and having reposed
a while； might engage the enemy with better heart。 But Timoleon；
coming up in haste； desired them not to stop for that reason； but
rather use all possible diligence to surprise the enemy； whom probably
they would now find in disorder； as having lately ended their march
and being taken up at present in erecting tents and preparing
supper； which he had no sooner said； but laying hold of his buckler
and putting himself in the front； he led them on as it were to certain
victory。 The braveness of such a leader made them all follow him
with like courage and assurance。 They were now within less than thirty
furlongs of Adranum； which they quickly traversed； and immediately
fell in upon the enemy； who were seized with confusion； and began to
retire at their first approaches； one consequence of which was that；
amidst so little opposition； and so early and general a flight；
there were not many more than three hundred slain； and about twice the
number made prisoners。 Their camp and baggage； however； was all taken。
The fortune of this onset soon induced the Adranitans to unlock
their gates； and to embrace the interest of Timoleon； to whom they
recounted； with a mixture of affright and