43.
Caesar, having again marched to harass the enemy, after
collecting a large number [of auxiliaries] from the neighboring states,
dispatches them in all directions. All the villages and all the buildings, which
each beheld, were on fire: spoil was being driven off from all parts; the corn
not only was being consumed by so great numbers of cattle and men, but also had
fallen to the earth, owing to the time of the year and the storms; so that if
any had concealed themselves for the present, still, it appeared likely that
they must perish through want of all things, when the army should be drawn off.
And frequently it came to that point, as so large a body of cavalry had been
sent abroad in all directions, that the prisoners declared Ambiorix
had just then been seen by them in flight, and had not even passed out of sight,
so that the hope of overtaking him being raised, and unbounded exertions having
been resorted to, those who thought they should acquire the highest favor with
Caesar, nearly overcame nature by their ardor, and
continually, a little only seemed wanting to complete success; but he rescued
himself by [means of] lurking-places and forests, and, concealed by the night
made for other districts and quarters, with no greater guard than that of four
horsemen, to whom along he ventured to confide his life.
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