They therefore determined to evacuate their upper lines, to enclose with a cross wall and garrison a small space close to the ships, only just sufficient to hold their stores and sick, and manning all the ships, seaworthy or not, with every man that could be spared from the rest of their land forces, to fight it out at sea, and, if victorious, to go to Catana, if not, to burn their vessels, form in close order, and retreat by land for the nearest friendly place they could reach, Hellenic or barbarian.
Horrela, bada, sirakusarrek pentsatu zuten, arrazoi osoarekin, itsas bataila burutu berrian lortutako garaipenaren ondoren egitandi ederra zatekeela atenastarren gudaroste osoa-izatez hain handia-preso hartzea, eta ez ziotela utzi behar handik alde egiten, ez itsasoz ez lehorrez.