82.
While the Gauls were at a distance from the
fortification, they did more execution, owing to the immense number of their
weapons: after they came nearer, they either unawares empaled themselves on the
spurs, or were pierced by the mural darts from the ramparts and towers, and thus
perished. After receiving many wounds on all sides, and having forced no part of
the works, when day drew nigh, fearing lest they should be surrounded by a sally
made from the higher camp on the exposed flank, they retreated to their
countrymen. But those within, while they bring forward those things which had
been prepared by Vercingetorix for a sally, fill up the nearest
trenches; having delayed a long time in executing these movements, they learned
the retreat of their countrymen before they drew nigh to the fortifications.
Thus they returned to the town without accomplishing their object.
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