of the nobles
of his secret intentions, and having sent back his numerous body of
guards, went forward himself with a very small escort, whose courage and
fidelity he could trust, to reconnoitre the foot of the hill, declaring
(as he was always apt to think highly of his own skill) that it must be
possible to find another path which led to the summit besides that which
the advanced guard had reported.

11. He then, as he advanced by a devious track over ground strange to
him, and across pathless swamps, was very nearly being killed by the
sudden attack of a band placed in an ambuscade on his flank, and being
driven to extremities, only escaped by spurring his horse to a gallop in
a different direction over a deep swamp, so at last, after being in the
most imminent danger, he rejoined his legions. But so great had been his
peril that his chamberlain, who was carrying his helmet, which was
adorned with gold and precious stones, disappeared, helmet and all,
while the man's body could never be found, so that it could be known
positively whether he were alive or dead.

12. Then, when the men had been refreshed by rest, and the signal for
battle was raised, and the clang of warlike trumpets roused their
courage, two youths of prominent valour, eager to be the first to
encounter the danger, dashed on with fearless impetuosity before the
line of their comrades. One was of the band of Scutarii, by name
Salvius, the other, Lupicinus, belonging to the Gentiles. They raised a
terrible shout, brandished their spears, and when they reached the foot
of the rocks, in spite of the efforts of the Allemanni to repel them,
pushed steadily on to the higher ground; while behind them came the main
body of the army, which following their lead over places rough with
brambles and rugged, at last, after vast exertions, reached the very
summit of the heights.

13. Then again, with great spirit on both sides, the conflict raged with
spears and swords. On our side the soldiers were more skilful in the art
of war; on the other side the barbarians, ferocious but incautious,
closed with them in the mighty fray; while our army extending itself,
outflanked them on both sides with its overlapping wings, the enemy's
alarm being increased by our shouts, the neighing of the horses, and the
clang of trumpets.

14. Nevertheless they resisted with indomitable courage, and the battle
was for some time undecided; both sides exerted themselves to the
utmost,