2.
When several days had elapsed in winter quarters, and he had ordered corn to be
brought in he was suddenly informed by his scouts that all the people had gone
off in the night from that part of the town which he had given up to the Gauls, and that the mountains which hung over it were
occupied by a very large force of the Seduni and
Veragri. It had happened for several reasons that the Gauls suddenly formed the design of renewing the war
and cutting off that legion. First, because they despised a single legion, on
account of its small number, and that not quite full (two cohorts having been
detached, and several individuals being absent, who had been dispatched for the
purpose of seeking provision); then, likewise, because they thought that on
account of the disadvantageous character of the situation, even their first
attack could not be sustained [by us] when they would rush from the mountains
into the valley, and discharge their weapons upon us. To this was added, that
they were indignant that their children were torn from them under the title of
hostages, and they were persuaded that the Romans
designed to seize upon the summits of the Alps , and unite those parts to
the neighboring province [of Gaul], not only to secure the passes,
but also a constant possession.
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