The fulfilment of dark prophecies had already portended the fate of the besieged; and now the very howling of the dogs in a strange and unwonted manner was deemed a prodigy.

Alarmed, aroused, the Messenians betook themselves to the nearest weapons within their reach.

Aristomenes, his son Gorgus, Theoclus, the guardian prophet of his tribe (whose valour was equal to his science), were among the first to perceive the danger.

Night passed in tumult and disorder.
Day dawned, but rather to terrify than encourage--the storm increased -- the thunder burst--the lightning glared.

What dismayed the besieged encouraged the besiegers.