Octavian's friends advised him to improve this favorable opportunity and attack Pompeius with his fleet,while the latter had so few ships and before the rest of his naval force should arrive.He did not follow this advice,but waited for Calvisius,saying that it was not good policy to run a risk when he was expecting reinforcements.When Demochares arrived at Messana, Pompeius appointed him and Apollophanes admirals in place of Menodorus and Menecrates; and when Octavian heard of his disaster at Cumae he sailed out of the straits to meet Calvisius. After accomplishing the greater part of the distance, and while he was passing Stylis and turning into Scyllaeum, Pompeius darted out of Messana and fell upon his rear,
pushed on to his front, attacked him all along the line, and challenged him to fight. Although beset in this way, Octavian's fleet did not give battle, since Octavian forbade it, either because he feared to fight in the straits or because he adhered to his first determination not to fight without Calvisius. By his orders, however, all hugged the shore, rode at anchor, and defended themselves with their prows toward the enemy. Demochares, by setting two of his ships by turns against one of the enemy's, threw them into confusion. They dashed against the rocks and against each other, and began to fill with water. And so these ships were lost, like those at Cumae, without striking a blow, being stuck fast and
battered by the enemy,who had freedom of movement to advance and retreat.Octavian leaped from his ship upon the rocks and pulled out of the water those who swam ashore,and conducted them to the mountain above.However, Cornificius and the other generals who were there, encouraged each other, cut loose from their anchors without awaiting orders,and put to sea against the enemy, thinking that it was better to be conquered fighting than to fall unresisting before the blows of their assailants.First, with wonderful audacity, Cornificius rammed the flag-ship of Demochares and captured it.Demochares leaped upon another vessel.Then, while the struggle and carnage were in progress, Calvisius and Menodorus hove in sight,
advancing from the open sea, although they had not been observed by Octavian's men either from the land or the water. The Pompeians, being farther out at sea, beheld them first, and, when they saw them, retreated, and fatigued as they were, they dared not encounter fresh men.This conjuncture happened very opportunely for those who had just now been in difficulties; but at nightfall, those who had reached the shore from the ships took refuge on the mountains and lighted numerous fires as signals to those who were still on the sea, and there passed the night without food, uncared for, and in want of everything. Octavian fared like the rest, and moved around exhorting them to endure their privations till morning.
騎士に向かって⇒岸に向かって