History of the Peloponnesian War

But the Athenians who were at Sestus with eighteen ships, when their signallers gave them notice and they observed the sudden blaze of numerous fires on the hostile shore, realized that the Peloponnesians were entering the straits. So that same night, making what speed they could and keeping close to the shore of the Chersonesus, they sailed toward Elaeus, wishing to get by the enemy's ships and out into the open water.

And they did elude the sixteen ships at Abydos,[*](cf. ch. xcix. (end).) although these had been cautioned by a friendly boat that sailed[*](The passage was so understood by the Scholiast (τῷ φιλίῳ ἐπίπλῳ ὑπὸ τοῦ φιλίου ἐπίπλου, τουτέστιν ὑπὸ τοῦ στόλου τοῦ μετὰ μινδάρου.) But commentators find the construction harsh and unexampled in Thucydides with προειρῆσθαι. Tucker explains: “They escaped the notice of the ships at Abydos, who had given warning to their approaching friends (Mindarus) to keep a watch for them in case of their trying to sail out.” So also Goodhart.) up to be on the alert in case the Athenians should try to leave the straits; but the ships commanded by Mindarus, which they descried at dawn—and these immediately gave chase—they could not outstrip with their entire fleet, but though most of their ships made good their escape to Imbros and Lemnos, four of them that brought up the rear were overtaken near Elaeus.

One of these, which was stranded at the sanctuary of Protesilaus, was captured with all on board, and two others without their crews; the fourth, which had been deserted by its crew, the enemy burned close to Imbros.