37.
At this very time, the German horse by chance came up,
and immediately, with the same speed with which they had advanced, attempt to
force the camp at the Decuman gate, nor were they seen, in
consequence of woods lying in the way on that side, before they were just
reaching the camp: so much so, that the sutlers who had their booths under the
rampart had not an opportunity of retreating within the camp. Our men, not
anticipating it, are perplexed by the sudden affair, and the cohort on the
outpost scarcely sustains the first attack. The enemy spread themselves on the
other sides to ascertain if they could find any access. Our men with difficulty
defend the gates; the very position of itself and the fortification secures the
other accesses. There is a panic in the entire camp, and one inquires of another
the cause of the confusion, nor do they readily determine whither the standards
should be borne, nor into what quarter each should betake himself. One avows
that the camp is already taken, another maintains that, the enemy having
destroyed the army and commander-in-chief, are come hither as conquerors; most
form strange superstitious fancies from the spot, and place before their eyes
the catastrophe of Cotta and Titurius, who had fallen in the same fort. All being greatly
disconcerted by this alarm, the belief of the barbarians is strengthened that
there is no garrison within, as they had heard from their prisoner. They
endeavor to force an entrance and encourage one another not to cast from their
hands so valuable a prize.
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