As the wind was fair and moderate, their
labours were not unsuccessful, and the troops were safely
disembarked at Methone, on the Messenian coast, to repose
themselves for a while after the fatigues of the sea....
From the port of Methone the pilots steered along the
western coast of Peloponnesus, as far as the island of
Zacynthus, or Zante, before they undertook the voyage (in
their eyes a most arduous voyage) of one hundred leagues
over the Ionian sea. As the fleet was surprised by a calm,
sixteen days were consumed in the slow navigation.... At
length the harbour of Caucana, on the southern side of
Sicily, afforded a secure and hospitable shelter....
Belisarius determined to hasten his operations, and his wise
impatience was seconded by the winds. The fleet lost sight
of Sicily, passed before the island of Malta, discovered the
capes of Africa, ran along the coast with a strong gale from
the north-east, and finally cast anchor at the promontory of
Caput Vada, about five days journey to the south of
Carthage.
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