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distance ahead； Marius began to move； and follow them at his
leisure； always encamping at some small distance from them； choosing
also strong positions； and carefully fortifying them； that he might
quarter with safety。 Thus they marched till they came to the place
called Sextilius's Waters； from whence it was but a short way before
being amidst the Alps； and here Marius put himself in readiness for
the encounter。
He chose a place for his camp of considerable strength； but where
there was a scarcity of water； designing； it is said； by this means；
also； to put an edge on his soldiers' courage； and when several were
not a little distressed； and complained of thirst； pointing to a river
that ran near the enemy's camp； 〃There；〃 said he； 〃you may have drink；
if you will buy it with your blood。〃 〃Why； then；〃 replied they； 〃do
you not lead us to them； before our blood is dried up in us？〃 He
answered； in a softer tone； 〃Let us first fortify our camp；〃 and the
soldiers； though not without repining； proceeded to obey。 Now a
great company of their boys and camp followers； having neither drink
for themselves nor for their horses； went down to that river； some
taking axes and hatchets； and some； too； swords and darts with their
pitchers； resolving to have water though they fought for it。 These
were first encountered by a small party of the enemies； for most of
them had just finished bathing； and were eating and drinking； and
several were still bathing； the country thereabouts abounding in hot
springs； so that the Romans partly fell upon them whilst they were
enjoying themselves and occupied with the novel sights and
pleasantness of the place。 Upon hearing the shouts； great numbers
still joining in the fight； it was not a little difficult for Marius
to contain his soldiers； who were afraid of losing the camp
servants； and the more warlike part of the enemies； who had overthrown
Manlius and Caepio （they were called Ambrones； and were in number； one
with another； above thirty thousand）； taking the alarm； leaped up
and hurried to arms。
These； though they had just been gorging themselves with food； and
were excited and disordered with drink； nevertheless did not advance
with an unruly step； or in mere senseless fury； nor were their
shouts mere inarticulate cries； but clashing their arms in concert and
keeping time as they leapt and bounded onward； they continually
repeated their own name； 〃Ambrones！〃 either to encourage one
another； or to strike the greater terror into their enemies。 Of all
the Italians in Marius's army； the Ligurians were the first that
charged； and when they caught the word of the enemy's confused
shout； they； too； returned the same； as it was an ancient name also in
their country； the Ligurians always using it when speaking of their
descent。 This acclamation； bandied from one army to the other before
they joined； served to rouse and heighten their fury； while the men on
either side strove； with all possible vehemence； the one to
overshout the other。
The river disordered the Ambrones； before they could draw up all
their army on the other side of it； the Ligurians presently fell
upon the van； and began to charge them hand to hand。 The Romans；
too； coming to their assistance； and from the higher ground pouring
upon the enemy； forcibly repelled them； and the most of them （one
thrusting another into the river） were there slain； and filled it with
their blood and dead bodies。 Those that got safe over； not daring to
make head； were slain by the Romans； as they fled to their camp and
wagons； where the women meeting them with swords and hatchets； and
making a hideous outcry； set upon those that fled as well as those
that pursued； the one as traitors； the other as enemies； and mixing
themselves with the combatants； with their bare arms pulling away
the Romans' shields； and laying hold on their swords； endured the
wounds and slashing of their bodies to the very last with undaunted
resolution。 Thus the battle seems to have happened at that river
rather by accident than by the design of the general。
After the Romans were retired from the great slaughter of the
Ambrones； night came on； but the army was not indulged； as was the
usual custom； with songs of victory； drinking in their tents； and
mutual entertainments and （what is most welcome to soldiers after
successful fighting） quiet sleep； but they passed that night； above
all others； in fears and alarm。 For their camp was without either
rampart or palisade； and there remained thousands upon thousands of
their enemies yet unconquered； to whom were joined as many of the
Ambrones as escaped。 There were heard from these all through the night
wild bewailings； nothing like the sighs and groans of men； but a
sort of wild…beast…like howling and cursing joined with threats and
lamentations rising from the vast multitude； and echoed among the
neighbouring hills and hollow banks of the river。 The whole plain
was filled with hideous noise； insomuch that the Romans were not a
little afraid and Marius himself was apprehensive of a confused
tumultuous night engagement。 But the enemy did not stir either this
night or the next day； but were employed in disposing and drawing
themselves up to the greatest advantage。
Of this occasion Marius made good use； for there were beyond the
enemies some wooded ascents and deep valleys thickly set with trees；
whither he sent Claudius Marcellus； secretly； with three thousand
regular soldiers； giving him orders to post them in ambush there；
and show themselves at the rear of the enemies when the fight was
begun。 The others； refreshed with victuals and sleep； as soon as it
was day he drew up before the camp； and commanded the horse to sally
out into the plain； at the sight of which the Teutones could not
contain themselves till the Romans should come down and fight them
on equal terms； but hastily arming themselves； charged in their fury
up the hillside。 Marius； sending officers to all parts； commanded
his men to stand still and keep their ground； when they came within
reach； to throw their javelins； then use their swords； and joining
their shields； force them back； pointing out to them that the
steepness of the ground would render the enemy's blows inefficient；
nor could their shields be kept close together； the inequality of
the ground hindering the stability of their footing。
This counsel he gave them； and was the first that followed it； for
he was inferior to none in the use of his body； and far excelled all
in resolution。 The Romans accordingly stood for their approach； and；
checking them in their advance upwards； forced them little by little
to give way and yield down the hill； and here； on the level ground； no
sooner had the Ambrones begun to restore their van into a posture of
resistance； but they found their rear disordered。 For Marcellus had
not let slip the opportunity； but as soon as the shout was raised
among the Romans on the hills； he； setting his men in motion； fell
in upon the enemy behind； at full speed； and with loud cries； and
routed those nearest him； and they； breaking the ranks of those that
were before them； filled the whole army wit