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a drought unexampled in that climate； would hardly admit of
navigation； and thus supplies were straitened at the same time that
outposts had to be established along the entire bank to keep the
Germans from fording the stream； the self…same cause thus bringing
about a smaller supply of grain and a greater number of consumers。
Among ignorant persons the very failure of the stream was regarded
as a prodigy； as if the very rivers； the old defences of the Empire；
were deserting us。 What； in peace； would have seemed chance or nature；
was now spoken of as destiny and the anger of heaven。 As the army
entered Novesium the sixteenth legion joined it； Herennius Gallus； its
legate； was associated with Vocula in the responsibilities of command。
As they did not venture to advance upon the enemy； they constructed
a camp at a place called Gelduba。 Here the generals sought to give
steadiness to the troops by such exercises as forming in order of
battle； constructing fortifications； making entrenchments； and
whatever else might train them for war。 In the hope that they might be
fired to courage by the delights of plunder； Vocula led the army
against the nearest villages of the Gugerni； who had accepted the
alliance of Civilis。 Some of the troops remained permanently with
Herennius Gallus。
One day it happened that at no great distance from the camp the
Germans were endeavouring to drag off to their own bank a vessel laden
with corn； which had run aground in the shallows。 Gallus could not
endure this； and sent a cohort to help。 The numbers of the Germans
also increased； as fresh troops continued to join both sides； a
regular battle ensued。 The Germans； besides inflicting great loss on
our men； carried off the vessel。 The vanquished troops； following what
had become a regular practice； laid the blame not on their own
cowardice； but on supposed treachery in the legate。 Dragged out of his
tent； his garments torn； and his person severely beaten； he was
commanded to declare for what bribe and with what accomplices he had
betrayed the army。 Their old hatred of Hordeonius reappeared。 He； they
declared； was the instigator of the crime； Gallus his tool。 At last；
utterly terrified by their threats of instant death； the legate
himself charged Hordeonius with treachery。 He was then put in irons；
and only released on the arrival of Vocula； who the next day inflicted
capital punishment on the ringleaders of the mutiny； such wide
extremes of license and of subordination were to be found in that
army。 The common soldiers were undoubtedly loyal to Vitellius； but all
the most distinguished men were in favour of Vespasian。 The result was
an alternation of outbreaks and executions； and a strange mixture of
obedience and frenzy； which made it impossible to restrain the men
whom it was yet possible to punish。
Meanwhile all Germany was raising the power of Civilis by vast
additions of strength； and the alliance was secured by hostages of the
noblest rank。 He directed that the territories of the Ubii and the
Treveri should be ravaged by the several tribes on which they
bordered； and that another detachment should cross the river Mosa；
to threaten the Menapii and the Morini and the frontiers of Gaul。 In
both quarters plunder was collected； with peculiar hostility in the
case of the Ubii； because； this nation； being of German origin； had
forsworn its native country； and assumed the Roman name of the
Agrippinenses。 Their cohorts were cut up at the village of Marcodurum；
where they lay in careless security； presuming on their distance
from the river…bank。 The Ubii did not remain quiet； but made predatory
excursions into Germany； escaping at first with impunity； though
they were afterwards cut off。 Throughout the whole of this war； they
were more loyal than fortunate。 Civilis； grown more formidable now
that the Ubii had been crushed； and elated by the success of his
operations； pressed on the siege of the legions； keeping a strict
watch to prevent any secret intelligence of advancing succours from
reaching them。 He entrusted to the Batavians the care of the
machines and the vast siege…works； and when the Transrhenane tribes
clamoured for battle； he bade them go and cut through the ramparts；
and； if repulsed； renew the struggle； their numbers were superfluously
large； and their loss was not felt。 Even darkness did not terminate
the struggle。
Piling up logs of wood round the walls and lighting them； they sat
feasting； and rushed to the conflict； as each grew heated with wine；
with a useless daring。 Their missiles were discharged without effect
in the darkness； but to the Romans the ranks of the barbarians were
plainly discernible； and they singled out with deliberate aim anyone
whose boldness or whose decorations made him conspicuous。 Civilis
saw this； and； extinguishing the fires； threw the confusion of
darkness over the attack。 Then ensued a scene of discordant clamour；
of accident； and uncertainty； where no one could see how to aim or
to avoid a blow。 Wherever a shout was heard； they wheeled round and
strained hand and foot。 Valour was of no avail； accident disturbed
every plan； and the bravest frequently were struck down by the
missiles of the coward。 The Germans fought with inconsiderate fury；
our men； more alive to the danger； threw； but not at random； stakes
shod with iron and heavy stones。 Where the noise of the assailants was
heard； or where the ladders placed against the walls brought the enemy
within reach of their hands； they pushed them back with their shields；
and followed them with their javelins。 Many； who had struggled on to
the walls； they stabbed with their short swords。 After a night thus
spent； day revealed a new method of attack。
The Batavians had raised a tower two stories high； which they
brought up to the Praetorian gate of the camp； where the ground was
most level。 But our men； pushing forward strong poles； and battering
it with beams； broke it down； causing great destruction among the
combatants on the top。 The enemy were attacked in their confusion by a
sudden and successful sally。 All this time many engines were
constructed by the legionaries； who were superior to the enemy in
experience and skill。 Peculiar consternation was caused by a
machine； which； being poised in the air over the heads of the enemy；
suddenly descended； and carried up one or more of them past the
faces of their friends； and then； by a shifting of the weights；
projected them within the limits of the camp。 Civilis； giving up all
hope of a successful assault； again sat down to blockade the camp at
his leisure； and undermined the fidelity of the legions by the
promises of his emissaries。
All these events in Germany took place before the battle of Cremona；
the result o