from thirst, he pointed to a stream
which ran near the barbarian camp, and said they might get drink from
there, but the price was blood. Why then, they replied, don't you
forthwith lead us against the enemy, while our blood is still moist?
Marius calmly replied, "We must first secure our camp."

XIX. The soldiers obeyed unwillingly. In the meantime the camp
servants, having no water for themselves or their beasts, went down in
a body to the river, some with axes and hatchets, and others taking
swords and spears, together with their pitchers, resolving to have
water, even if they fought for it. At first a few only of the enemy
engaged with them, for the main body of the army were eating after
bathing, and some were still bathing. For a spring of warm water
bursts from the ground here, and the Romans surprised some of the
barbarians who were enjoying themselves and making merry in this
pleasant place. The shouts brought more of the barbarians to the spot,
and Marius had great difficulty in checking his men any longer, as
they were afraid they should lose their slaves, and the bravest part
of the enemy, who had formerly defeated the Romans under Manlius and
Caepio (these were the Ambrones, who were above thirty thousand in
number), had sprung up and were running to their arms. Though full of
food and excited and inflamed with wine, they did not advance in
disorderly or frantic haste, nor utter confused shouts, but striking
their arms to a certain measure, and advancing all in regular line,
they often called out their name Ambrones, either to encourage one
another or to terrify the Romans by this announcement. The
Ligurians,[85] who were the first of the Italic people to go down to
battle with them, hearing their shouts, and understanding what they
said, responded by calling out their old national name, which was the
same, for the Ligurians also call themselves Ambrones when they refer
to their origin. Thus the shouts were continual on both sides before
they came to close quarters, and as the respective commanders joined
in the shouts, and at first vied with one another which should call
out loudest, the cries stimulated and roused the courage of the men.
Now the Ambrones were separated by the stream, for they could not all
cross and get into order of battle before the Ligurians, who advanced
at a run, fell on the first ranks and began the battle; and the Romans
coming up to support the Ligurians, and rushing on the barbar