85.
Caesar, having selected a commanding situation, sees
distinctly whatever is going on in every quarter, and sends assistance to his
troops when hard pressed. The idea uppermost in the minds of both parties is,
that the present is the time in which they would have the fairest opportunity of
making a struggle; the Gauls despairing of all
safety, unless they should succeed in forcing the lines: the Romans expecting an end to all their labors if they should gain the
day. The principal struggle is at the upper lines, to which as we have said
Vergasillaunus was sent. The least elevation of ground, added
to a declivity, exercises a momentous influence. Some are casting missiles,
others, forming a testudo, advance to the attack; fresh men by turns relieve the
wearied. The earth, heaped up by all against the fortifications, gives the means
of ascent to the Gauls, and covers those works which
the Romans had concealed in the ground. Our men have
no longer arms or strength.
C. Julius Caesar. Caesar's Gallic War. Translator. W. A. McDevitte. Translator. W. S. Bohn. 1st Edition. New York. Harper & Brothers. 1869. Harper's New Classical Library.
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