12.
Vercingetorix, when he ascertained the arrival of Caesar, desisted from the siege [of Gergovia], and
marched to meet Caesar. The latter had commenced to
besiege Noviodunum ; and when embassadors came from this town to beg that he
would pardon them and spare their lives, in order that he might execute the rest
of his designs with the rapidity by which he had accomplished most of them, he
orders their arms to be collected, their horses to be brought forth, and
hostages to be given. A part of the hostages being now delivered up, when the
rest of the terms were being performed, a few centurions and soldiers being sent
into the town to collect the arms and horses, the enemy's cavalry which had
outstripped the main body of Vercingetorix's army, was seen at a
distance; as soon as the townsmen beheld them, and entertained hopes of
assistance, raising a shout, they began to take up arms, shut the gates, and
line the walls. When the centurions in the town understood from the
signal-making of the Gauls that they were forming
some new design, they drew their swords and seized the gates, and recovered all
their men safe.
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