lleagues, advanced towards
the town of Salices--at no great distance from which was a countless
host of barbarians, arranged in a circle, with a great multitude of
waggons for a rampart around them, behind which, as if protected by a
spacious wall, they enjoyed ease and an abundance of booty.

6. Filled with hopes of success, the Roman generals--resolved on some
gallant enterprise should fortune afford them an opportunity--were
carefully watching the movements of the Goths! having formed the
design--if they moved their camp in any other direction, which they were
very much in the habit of doing--to fall upon their rear, making no
doubt that they should slay many of them, and recover a great portion of
their spoil.

7. When the barbarians learnt this, probably through the information of
some deserter, from whom they obtained a knowledge of our operations,
they remained for some time in the same place; but at last, being
influenced by fear of the opposing army, and of the reinforcements which
might be expected to throng to them, they assembled, by a preconcerted
signal, the predatory bands dispersed in different districts, and which,
the moment they received the orders of their leaders, returned like
firebrands, with the swiftness of birds, to their "encampment of
chariots" (as they call it), and thus gave their countrymen confidence
to attempt greater enterprises.

8. After this there was no cessation of hostilities between the two
parties except what was afforded by a few short truces; for after those
men had returned to the camp whom necessity had forced to quit it, the
whole body which was crowded within the circuit of the encampment, being
full of fierce discontent, excitement, and a most ferocious spirit, and
now reduced to the greatest extremities, were eager for bloodshed: nor
did their chiefs, who were present with them, resist their desire; and
as the resolution to give battle was taken when the sun was sinking, and
when the approach of night invited the sullen and discontented troops to
rest, they took some food quietly, but remained all night sleepless.

9. On the other hand the Romans, knowing what was going on, kept
themselves also awake, fearing the enemy and their insane leaders as so
many furious wild beasts: nevertheless, with fearless minds they awaited
the result, which, though they acknowledged it to be doubtful in respect
of their inferiority in number, they still trusted would be propitious
beca