XVI.  All the nations within the Iber river[148] were now joining Sertorius at once, and he was powerful in numbers; for they were continually flocking and crowding to him from all quarters.  But he was troubled by the loose discipline and self-confidence of the barbarians, who called on him to attack the enemy, and were impatient of delay, and he attempted to pacify them with reasons.  Seeing, however, that they were discontented, and were unwisely pressing him with their demands, he let them have their way, and winked at their engaging with the enemy, in so far as not to be completely crushed, but to get some hard knocks, which he hoped would render them more tractable for the future.  Things turning out as he expected, Sertorius came to their aid when they were flying, and brought them back safe to the camp.  However, as he wished also to cheer their spirits, a few days after this adventure he had all the army assembled, and introduced before them two horses,[149] one very weak and rather old, the other of a large size and strong, with a tail remarkable for the thickness and beauty of the hair.  There stood by the side of the weak horse a tall strong man, and by the side of the strong horse a little man of mean appearance.  On a signal given to them, the strong man began to pull the tail of the horse with all his might towards him, as if he would tear it off; the weak man began to pluck out the hairs from the tail of the strong horse one by one.  Now the strong man, after no small labour to himself to no purpose, and causing much mirth to the spectators, at last gave up; but the weak man in a trice, and with no trouble, bared the tail of all its hairs.  On which Sertorius getting up, said, “You see, fellow allies, that perseverance will do more than strength, and that many things which cannot be compassed all at once, yield to continued efforts; for endurance is invincible, and it is thus that time in its course assails and vanquishes every power, being a favourable helper to those who with consideration watch the opportunities that it offers, but the greatest of enemies to those who hurry out of season.”  By contriving from time to time such means as these for pacifying the barbarians, he managed his opportunities as he chose.

XVII.  His adventure with the people called Charicatani[150] was not less admired than any of his military exploits.  The Charicatani are a people who live beyond the river Tagonius:  they do not dwell in cities or villages; but there is a large lofty hill, which contains caves and hollows in the rocks, looking to the north.  The whole of the country at the foot of the hill consists of a clayey mud and of light earth, easily broken in pieces, which is not strong enough to bear a man’s tread; and if it is only slightly touched will spread all about, like unslaked lime or ashes.  Whenever the barbarians through fear of war hid themselves in their caves, and, collecting all their plunder there kept quiet, they could not be taken by any force; and