, and found himself
in comparative security. Crassus, misled by his guides, made but poor
progress during the night; he had, however, arrived within little
more than a mile of Octavius before the enemy, who would not stir till
daybreak, overtook him. Pressed upon by their advancing squandrons, he,
with his small band of 2,000 legionaries and a few horsemen, occupied a
low hillock connected by a ridge of rising ground with the position of
Sinnaca. Here the Parthian host beset him; and he would infallibly have
been slain or captured at once, had not Octavius, deserting his place
of safety, descended to the aid of his commander. The united 7,000 held
their own against the enemy, having the advantage of the ground, and
having perhaps by the experience of some days learnt the weak points of
Parthian warfare.

Surenas was anxious, above all things, to secure the person of the Roman
commander. In the East an excessive importance is attached to this
proof of success; and there were reasons which made Crassus particularly
obnoxious to his antagonists. He was believed to have originated, and
not merely conducted, the war, incited thereto by simple greed of gold.
He had refused with the utmost haughtiness all discussion of terms, and
had insulted the majesty of the Parthians by the declaration that he
would treat nowhere but at their capital. If he escaped, he would
be bound at some future time to repeat his attempt; if he were made
prisoner, his fate would be a terrible warning to others. But now, as
evening approached, it seemed to the Parthian that the prize which he
so much desired was about to elude his grasp. The highlands of Armenia
would be gained by the fugitives during the night, and further pursuit
of them would be hopeless. It remained that he should effect by craft
what he could no longer hope to gain by the employment of force; and to
this point all his efforts were now directed. He drew off his troops
and left the Romans without further molestation. He allowed some of his
prisoners to escape and rejoin their friends, having first contrived
that they should overhear a conversation among his men, of which the
theme was the Parthian clemency, and the wish of Orodes to come to terms
with the Romans. He then, having allowed time for the report of his
pacific intentions to spread, rode with a few chiefs towards the Roman
camp, carrying his bow unstrung and his right hand stretched out in
token of amity. "Let the Roman Gen