TIMOLEON, THE FAVORITE OF FORTUNE, 277

Forty miles inland lay the town of Adranum, sacred
to the god Adranus, a deity worshipped throughout
Sicily. There were two parties in Adranum, one of
which invited Timoleon, the other Hicetas. The
latter at once started thither, with a force of five
thousand men, an army with which that of Timoleon
seemed too small to cope. But heedless of this dis-
crepancy Timoleon hastened thither, and on arriving
near the town perceived that the opposing army had
outstripped him in speed. Hicetas, not aware of the
approach of a foe, had encamped, and his men were
disarmed and at their suppers.

The small army of Timoleon, worn out with their
long and rapid march, and in sight of an enemy four
times their number, were loath to move farther ; but
their leader, who knew that his only chance for
victory lay in a surprise, urged them forward, seized
his shield and placed himself at their head, and led
them so suddenly on the foe that the latter, com-
pletely surprised, fled in utter panic. Three hun-
dred were killed, six hundred taken, and the rest,
abandoning their camp, hastened at all speed back to
Syracuse.

Again the gods spoke in favor of Timoleon. Just
as the battle began the gates of the temple of Adra-
nus burst open, and the god himself appeared with
brandished spear and perspiring face. So said the
awe-struck Adranians, and there was no one to con-
tradict their testimony.

Superstition came here to the adventurer’s aid.
The report of the god’s doings did as much as the
victory to add to the fame of Timoleon. Reinforce-

24