10.
Caesar had a double design in this fortification; for he
both hoped that the strength of his works, and his [apparent] fears would raise
confidence in the barbarians; and when there should be occasion to make a
distant excursion to get forage or corn, he saw that his camp would be secured
by the works with a very small force. In the mean time there were frequent
skirmishes across the marsh, a few on both sides sallying out between the two
camps. Sometimes, however, our Gallic or German auxiliaries crossed the marsh, and furiously pursued the
enemy; or on the other hand the enemy passed it and beat back our men. Moreover
there happened in the course of our daily foraging, what must of necessity
happen, when corn is to be collected by a few scattered men out of private
houses, that our foragers dispersing in an intricate country were surrounded by
the enemy; by which, though we suffered but an inconsiderable loss of cattle and
servants, yet it raised foolish hopes in the barbarians; but more especially,
because Comius, who I said had gone to get aid from the Germans, returned with some cavalry, and though the
Germans were only 500, yet the barbarians were
elated by their arrival.
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