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But he was always clever at discovering what was for his advantage.He sent Maecenas to Antony to change the mind of the latter respecting the things about which they had lately had some bickering,and to bring him to an alliance.If Maecenas should not succeed,he intended to embark his infantry on merchant vessels, cross over to Sicily, abandon the sea, and wage war on land.While in this state of dejection the news reached him that Antony had agreed to the alliance,and he heard of a splendid victory over the Gauls, gained under the leadership of Agrippa.Certain cities also promised him ships, and built them.Accordingly,Octavian cast off his despondency,and made more formidable preparations than his previous ones. At the beginning of spring, Antony set sail from Athens to Tarentum with 300 ships to assist Octavian as he had promised. But the latter had changed his mind and postponed his movement until his own ships should be finished. When called upon again and told that Antony's forces were ready and sufficient, he advanced other reasons for delay. It was evident that he was again offended with Antony about something, or that he disdained his assistance because his own resources were abundant. Antony was vexed, but he remained, nevertheless, and communicated with Octavian again, because the expense of his fleet was burdensome. Moreover, he needed Italian soldiers for his war against the Parthians, and he contemplated exchanging his fleet for a part of Octavian's army;for, although it was provided in their treaty that each of them might recruit soldiers in Italy,it would be difficult for him to do so when Italy had fallen to the lot of Octavian. Accordingly,Octavia betook herself to her brother to act as mediator between them.Octavian complained that he had been abandoned by Antony when he was overtaken by danger in the straits;she replied that that had been explained through Maecenas.Octavian said that Antony had sent his freedman Callias to Lepidus in Africa to induce the latter to make an alliance against him;she replied that she knew that Callias had been sent to make arrangements about a marriage,because Antony desired, before setting out on his Parthian expedition, to marry his daughter to the son of Lepidus, as had been agreed. After Octavian had made this statement Antony sent Callias to Octavian with permission to put him to the question. Octavian would not receive him, but said that he would go and have an interview with Antony between Metapontum and Tarentum, at a place where there is the river whence the town is named between them.They both chanced to reach the river at the same time. Antony rowed toward Octavian, showing confidence in him as a friend. When Octavian saw this he followed the example. So they met in the stream and contended with each other which of them should disembark on the other's bank.