38 ALCIBIADES.

without ransom. He prepared next to attack the Chalce- donians, who had revolted from the Athenians, and had received a Laceda?nionian governor and garrison. But havino; intellio-ence that thev had removed their corn and cattle out of the fields, and were convej-ing it all to the Bith^nians, Avho were their friends, he drew down his army to the frontier of the Bithynians, and then sent a herald to charge them with this proceeding. The Bithy- nians, terrified at his approach, delivered up to him the booty, and entered into alliance with hiui. Afterwards he proceeded to the siege of Chalcedon, and enclosed it with a wall from sea to sea. Pharnabazus advanced with his forces to raise the siege, and Hippo- crates, the governor of the town, at the same time, gath- ering together all the strength he had, made a. sally upon the Athenians. Alcibiades divided his army so as to engage them both at once, and not only forced Pharna- bazus to a dishonorable flight, but defeated Hijjpocrates, and killed him and a number of the soldiers with him. After this he sailed into the Hellespont, in order to raise supphes of money, and took the city of Selymbria, in which action, through his precipitation, he exposed him- self to great danger. For some within the town had undertaken to betray it into his hands, and, by agree- ment, were to give him a signal by a lighted torch about midnight. But one of the conspiratoi's beginning to repent himself of the design, the rest, for fear of being discovered, were driven to give the signal before the appointed liour. Alcibiades, as soon as he saw the torch lifted up in the air, though his army was not in readiness to march, ran instantly towards the walls, taking with him about thirty men only, ami commanding the rest of the army to follow him with all possible speed. When he came tliither, he found the gate opened for him, and entered with hi^ thirty men. and about twenty more light-