16.
Though Caesar could not perceive the retreat of the
enemy for the intervention of the fire, yet, suspecting that they had adopted
that method to favor their escape, he made his legions advance, and sent a party
of horse to pursue them; but, apprehensive of an ambuscade, and that the enemy
might remain in the same place and endeavor to draw our men into a
disadvantageous situation, he advances himself but slowly. The horse, being
afraid to venture into the smoke and dense line of flame, and those who were
bold enough to attempt it being scarcely able to see their horse's heads, gave
the enemy free liberty to retreat, through fear of an ambuscade. Thus by a
flight, full at once of cowardice and address, they advanced without any loss
about ten miles, and encamped in a very strong position. From which, laying
numerous ambuscades, both of horse and foot, they did considerable damage to the
Roman foragers.
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