ogressing towards noon, at last, after
marching eight miles, our men came in sight of the waggons of the enemy,
which had been stated by the scouts to be all arranged in a circle.
According to their custom, the barbarian host raised a fierce and
hideous yell, while the Roman generals marshalled their line of battle.
The right wing of the cavalry was placed in front; the chief portion of
the infantry was kept in reserve.

12. But the left wing of the cavalry, of which a considerable number
were still straggling on the road, were advancing with speed, though
with great difficulty; and while this wing was deploying, not as yet
meeting with any obstacle, the barbarians being alarmed at the terrible
clang of their arms and the threatening crash of their shields (since a
large portion of their own army was still at a distance, under Alatheus
and Saphrax, and, though sent for, had not yet arrived), again sent
ambassadors to ask for peace.

13. The emperor was offended at the lowness of their rank, and replied,
that if they wished to make a lasting treaty, they must send him nobles
of sufficient dignity. They designedly delayed, in order by the
fallacious truce which subsisted during the negotiation to give time for
their cavalry to return, whom they looked upon as close at hand; and for
our soldiers, already suffering from the summer heat, to become parched
and exhausted by the conflagration of the vast plain; as the enemy had,
with this object, set fire to the crops by means of burning faggots and
fuel. To this evil another was added, that both men and cattle were
suffering from extreme hunger.

14. In the meantime Fritigern, being skilful in divining the future, and
fearing a doubtful struggle, of his own head sent one of his men as a
herald, requesting that some nobles and picked men should at once be
sent to him as hostages for his safety, when he himself would fearlessly
bring us both military aid and supplies.

15. The proposition of this formidable chief was received with praise
and approbation, and the tribune Equitius, a relation of Valens, who was
at that time high steward of the palace, was appointed, with general
consent, to go with all speed to the barbarians as a hostage. But he
refused, because he had once been taken prisoner by the enemy, and had
escaped from Dibaltum, so that he feared their vengeful anger; upon this
Richomeres voluntarily offered himself, and willingly undertook to go,
thinking it a bold