With this sum of money they also set aside a special fleet of one hundred galleys, the best ships of each year, with their captains.

None of these were to be used except with the money and against the same peril, should such peril arise.
Meanwhile the Athenians in the hundred ships round Peloponnese, reinforced by a Corcyraean squadron of fifty vessels and some others of the allies in those parts, cruised about the coasts and ravaged the country.

Among other places they landed in Laconia and made an assault upon Methone; there being no garrison in the place, and the wall being weak.

But it so happened that Brasidas, son of Tellis, a Spartan, was in command of a guard for the defence of the district.

Hearing of the attack, he hurried with a hundred heavy infantry to the assistance of the besieged, and dashing through the army of the Athenians, which was scattered over the country and had its attention turned to the wall, threw himself into Methone.