n the rest of the legions commissioned their tribunes
and chief centurions to apologize to Caesar; they had never
hesitated or feared, and had never thought that they should meddle
with their commander in the control of operations. Caesar accepted
their apology and started at the fourth watch, as he had warned
them.

Caesar, _De Bello Gallico_, i. 40. 8-41. 4.

[Illustration: A ROMAN LEGIONARY HELMET
found in Britain]

There was a moment when it looked as though all Caesar's work was to be
swept away. He spent part of the year 54 in Britain. While he was away
plans for a great rising were conceived. Soon after he returned all Gaul
rose in a blaze. The first rising was put down. In 52 another and more
serious movement took place with Vercingetorix at its head. The danger
was greater than ever. It was the more serious that Caesar knew that in
Rome his enemies were working against him. So great was it indeed that
Caesar's officers were in despair and begged him to retreat to some safe
spot until reinforcements could be sent. But to wait for reinforcements
would make things worse instead of better. The rebellion would gather
force. It was by no means certain that Pompeius, now hand in glove with
the Conservatives, would send him more troops. Pompeius would be glad to
see his rival fail. Caesar was not going to give him that pleasure. And
retreat in face of danger was never Caesar's way. Always he went to meet
it. So now. He delivered a blow at the very heart of the enemy's
position. Caesar's capture of Alesia, the stronghold of Vercingetorix,
and his defeat of the second great Gallic army that closed him in while
he was blockading the town are among the great feats in the history of
war. The odds were heavy against him. His army was in a position from
which no luck, only the most brilliant generalship, could save it.
Caesar not only saved it: he absolutely crushed the foe. Vercingetorix
surrendered. The rebellion collapsed. By the end of the next year Gaul
was under Caesar's feet again. It was possible for him to turn his eyes
and mind to Rome (50).

[Illustration: THE HEIGHTS OF ALESIA
The stronghold of Vercingetorix]

He did not want to quarrel with Pompeius. He had indeed from the first
done everything in his power to prevent such a quarrel. But he saw that
the old order of things in Rome was crumbling into ruin. If Pompeius and
he could not rule together, one of them must rule alone. In the y