on the outposts set to guard the working parties who were entrenching the position, and the fighting became very sharp indeed.  The outposts were driven in, even though reinforced by two cohorts—­each the First of its Legion, and thus consisting of picked men, like the old Grenadier companies of our own regiments.  Though these twelve hundred regulars, the very flower of the Roman army, awaited the attack in such a formation that the front cohort was closely supported by the rear, the Britons pushed their assault home, and had “the extreme audacity” to charge clean through the ranks of both, re-form behind, and charge back again, with great loss to the Romans (whose leader, Quintus Labienus Durus, the Tribune, or Divisional General in command of one of the legions, was slain), and but little to themselves.  Not till several more cohorts were dispatched to the rescue did they at length retire.

F. 5.—­This brilliant little affair speaks well both for the discipline and the spirit of the patriot army; and Caesar ungrudgingly recognizes both.  He points out how far superior the British warriors were to his own men, both in individual and tactical mobility.  The legionaries dare not break their ranks to pursue, under pain of being cut off by their nimble enemies before they could re-form; and even the cavalry found it no safe matter to press British chariots too far or too closely.  At any moment the crews might spring to earth, and the pursuing horsemen find themselves confronted, or even surrounded, by infantry in position.  Moreover, the morale of the British army was so good that it could fight in quite small units, each of which, by the skilful dispositions of Caswallon, was within easy reach of one of his series of “stations” (i.e. block-houses) disposed along the line of march, where it could rest while the garrison turned out to take its turn in the combat.

F. 6.—­Against such an enemy it was obviously Caesar’s interest to bring on, as speedily as possible, a general action, in which he might deliver a crushing blow.  And, happily for him, their success had rendered the Britons over-confident, so that they were even deluded enough to imagine that they could face the full Roman force in open field.  Both sides, therefore, were eager to bring about the same result.  Next morning the small British squads which were hovering around showed ostentatious reluctance to come to close quarters, so as to draw the Romans out of their lines.  Caesar gladly met their views, and sent forward all his cavalry and three legions, who, on their part, ostentatiously broke rank and began to forage.  This was the opportunity the Britons wanted—­and Caesar wanted also.  From every side, in front, flank, and rear, the former “flew upon” their enemies, so suddenly and so vigorously that ere the legions, prepared as they were for the onset, could form, the very standards were all but taken.