Page 346 The Consults concerning Preparations for War being very frequent, and Dionysius discerning that the Syracusians were in a great Fright, he advised to recall the Exiles: For he said it was a very absurd thing to receive Aids of Strangers from Italy and Peloponesus, and yet to be backward in making use of their own Countrymen to withstand the common Danger, who are solicited by the Enemy with great Promises of Reward to join with them, and yet are content to wander up and down amongst Strangers, and dye rather than do any thing prejudical to their Country. For though they were Banish'd for stirring up Sedition in the City, yet such kindness shew'd 'em, would in gratitude oblige them to fight chearfully for their Country. When he had spoken many things to this purpose, he at length procur'd the Suffrages of the People; for none of his Collegues durst contradict him, for that they both fear'd the Rage of the People, and likewise plainly saw, that nothing would redound thence, but hatred to themselves, and more love and favour to him.
Dionysius did this, for that he look'd upon the Exiles to be Men fit for his purpose, such as were given to change, and therefore ready Tools to make use of to serve his Ambition; who would delight to see their Enemies Throats cut, their Goods and Estates confiscate, and themselves restor'd. The Decree therefore for the recalling the Banish'd being publish'd, they presently return'd.
And now Letters coming from Gela, to desire Assistance to be speedily sent them, Dionysius made use of this fair opportunity for the carrying on his Design; for he forthwith marched to Gela with Two Thousand Foot, and Four Hundred Horse, where Dexippus the Lacedemonian was Governor, with a strong Garrison: When he found the City in a Seditious Uproar rais'd by some against the People, he condemns them that were accus'd in a Publick Assembly, puts them to Death, and confiscates their Estates, and with part of the Mony paid the Souldiers, that were in Garrison under Dexippus, all their old Arrears, and the rest he distributed amongst the Souldiers that came with him from Syracuse, declaring their Pay order'd by the City should be double. By this means he wan both the Hearts of the Souldiers at Gela, and of those that went with him thither. The Geleans likewise cry'd him up to the Skies, as one that had freed them from Slavery: So that out of Envy to the great Men of the City, they decreed the Supream Power to Dionysius: Upon which, they sent Ambassadors to Syracuse to publish there his Praises, and likewise to shew the Decrees of the City, by which they had honour'd him with many marks of respect.
In the mean time Dionysius endeavour'd to bring over Dexippus into his Councils, but not being able to prevail, he determin'd to return to Syracuse with all his Forces. But the Geleans hearing that the Carthaginians had determin'd to set upon their City with their whole Power before any other, earnestly intreated Dionysius that he would not leave them, nor suffer their City to undergo the same Calamity with them of Agrigentum. To whom he promis'd to return in a short time with greater Forces; and so left Gela.
Afterwards when the People came from the Theater from the Plays, Dionysius at that very Hour return'd into Syracuse; whereupon the Citizens came thronging about him, and inquir'd what News he brought concerning the Carthaginians: To whom he answer'd,
That he had nothing to say of them, in regard their own Officers and Governors were more mischievous to the Commonwealth than the Enemies themselves; for whilst the Citizens led away by their Flatteries, were diverted with Sports and Plays, they themselves impoverished the Commonwealth, and defrauded the Souldiers of their Pay. And now, that the Enemy at this very time, is making incredible Preparation for War, and are even upon the Borders of Syracuse, with a mighty Army, yet it is not at all by them regarded. To what end they acted thus, he suspected long since, but now he saw clearly their Drift. For Imilcar (he said) had sent by an Herald to him, pretending to redeem some Captives, but in truth secretly to persuade him not to use that Authority he had, to pry too narrowly into things that were in doing, or at least not to obstruct them, if he was not willing to join in the Execution. Therefore he declar'd he was not willing any longer to be General, but