d more on surprises and ambuscades than a pitched battle.

8. When news of these facts reached Firmus, first through vague reports,
and subsequently by precise information, he, terrified at the approach
of a general of tried valour, sent envoys and letters to him, confessing
all he had done, and imploring pardon; asserting that it was not of his
own accord that he had been driven on to an action which he knew to be
criminal, but that he had been goaded on by unjust treatment of a
flagitious character, as he undertook to show.

9. When his letters had been read, and when peace was promised him, and
hostages received from him, Theodosius proceeded to the Pancharian
station to review the legions to which the protection of Africa was
intrusted, and who had been ordered to assemble to meet him at that
place. There he encouraged the hopes of them all by confident yet
prudent language; and then returned to Sitifis, having reinforced his
troops with some native soldiers; and, not being inclined to admit of
any delay, he hastened to regain his camp.

10. Among many other admirable qualities which he displayed, his
popularity was immensely increased by an order which he issued,
forbidding the army to demand supplies from the inhabitants of the
province; and asserting, with a captivating confidence, that the
harvests and granaries of the enemy were the magazines of the valour of
our soldiers.

11. Having arranged these matters in a way which caused great joy to the
landowners, he advanced to Tubusuptum, a town near Mons Ferratus, where
he rejected a second embassy of Firmus, because it had not brought with
it the hostages, as had been provided before. From this place, having
made as careful an examination of everything as the time and place
permitted, he proceeded by rapid marches to the Tyndenses and
Massisenses; tribes equipped with light arms, under the command of
Mascizel and Dius, brothers of Firmus.

12. When the enemy, being quick and active in all their movements, came
in sight, after a fierce skirmish by a rapid interchange of missiles,
both sides engaged in a furious contest; and amid the groans of the
wounded and dying were heard also the wailing and lamentations of
barbarian prisoners. When the battle was over, the territory for a great
distance was ravaged and wasted by fire.

13. Among the havoc thus caused, the destruction of the farm of Petra,
which was razed to the ground, and which had been originally built