d their lives to the waves. And Julian, with prompt apprehension,
seeing what would be the result, strictly forbade the tribunes and
captains to allow any of our men to pursue them so eagerly as to trust
themselves to the dangerous currents of the river.

56. In consequence of which order they halted on the brink, and from it
wounded the Germans with every kind of missile; while, if any of them
escaped from death of that kind by the celerity of their movements, they
still sunk to the bottom from the weight of their own arms.

57. And as sometimes in a theatrical spectacle the curtain exhibits
marvellous figures, so here one could see many strange things in that
danger; some unconsciously clinging to others who were good swimmers,
others who were floating were pushed off by those less encumbered as so
many logs, others again, as if the violence of the stream itself fought
against them, were swallowed up in the eddies. Some supported themselves
on their shields avoiding the heaviest attacks of the opposing waves by
crossing them in an oblique direction, and so, after many dangers,
reached the opposite brink, till at last the foaming river, discoloured
with barbarian blood, was itself amazed at the unusual increase it had
received.

58. And while this was going on, Chnodomarius, the king, finding an
opportunity of escaping, making his way over the heaps of dead with a
small escort, hastened with exceeding speed towards the camp which he
had made near the two Roman fortresses of Alstatt and Lauterbourg, in
the country of the Tribocci, that he might embark in some boats which
had already been prepared in case of any emergency, and so escape to
some secret hiding-place in which he might conceal himself.

59. And because it was impossible for him to reach his camp without
crossing the Rhine, he hid his face that he might not be recognized, and
after that retreated slowly. And when he got near the bank of the river,
as he was feeling his way round a marsh, partly overflowed, seeking some
path by which to cross it, his horse suddenly stumbled in some soft and
sticky place, and he was thrown down, but though he was fat and heavy,
he without delay reached the shelter of a hill in the neighbourhood;
there he was recognized (for indeed he could not conceal who he was,
being betrayed by the greatness of his former fortune): and immediately
a squadron of cavalry came up at full gallop with its tribune, and
cautiously surrounded the