unable to penetrate far
among these valleys, where thick forests hemmed in the view, and where
every hillside might harbour a band of their savage foes.

It was impossible to reach Caradoc in this wild retreat. Accompanied
by his followers, he would leave the mountains and sweep suddenly down
upon a Roman camp in some distant part of the country. At a time when
the Romans were least expecting it, a band of these wild, red-headed
warriors would appear, yelling their war-cries as they let fly a shower
of darts and arrows; then, after killing and wounding a number of the
enemy, they would vanish among their mountains before the Romans had
time to follow them up.

As years went on, a large number of Britons found their way to Caradoc
in his Welsh retreat. The mountains became full of desperate men who
had been driven from their homes, but were still determined to fight
for freedom, and the example of their leader gave his followers fresh
courage.

After many years of fighting, the Romans saw that the country would
never be subdued so long as Caradoc should remain at liberty.

A great army was marched towards the stronghold of the daring chief.
Caradoc mustered his retainers, and found himself at the head of a body
of men almost as numerous as the Roman army. For nine years these
Britons had remained unconquered; and the brave band hoped that the day
had now come when they might gain a victory which would end in the
invaders being driven out of the country.

Romans and Britons met on the borders of Wales.

The Britons, looking down from their mountains, saw the Romans on the
plain far below. Between the armies there flowed a river, which was
joined by a torrent rushing down by the side of a steep hill. Caradoc
ordered his men to take up their station upon this hill, and all night
long the Britons worked to strengthen their defences by building up
barricades of loose stones.

When morning dawned the Britons could see the Roman legions forming in
position. The sunbeams were glancing upon the crests of the soldiers'
helmets and upon the points of their spears, and the Britons almost
seemed to hear the voice of the general who was riding his prancing
war-horse round the ranks of his army.

The Britons were eager to attack, but before a man left his post
Caradoc came forward and spoke to his followers.

'Men of Britain,' he said; 'this day decides the fate of your country.
Your liberty, or your eternal slavery,