84 When the day came, Nikias was leading the army.

The Syracuseans and their allies pressed upon them in the same direction, hurling projectiles and shooting down at them from all directions. The Athenians hurried to the Assinaros i!er, at the same time "eing constrained on all sides "y the attack of "oth many ca!alry and the other throng, and thinking on account of their distress and eagerness to drink that it would "e easier for them if they crossed the ri!er. When they came upon it, they rushed forward no longer in any order, "ut with each and e!ery man wishing to cross first himself and the