for the inconstancy of their behavior, and ordered them to bring hostages to secure their fidelity, together with provisions for his army.  But whilst the Britons were engaged in the treaty, and on that account had free access to the Roman camp, they easily observed that the army of the invaders was neither numerous nor well provided; and having about the same time received intelligence that the Roman fleet had suffered in a storm, they again changed their measures, and came to a resolution of renewing the war.  Some prosperous actions against the Roman foraging parties inspired them with great confidence.  They were betrayed by their success into a general action in the open field.  Here the disciplined troops obtained an easy and complete victory; and the Britons were taught the error of their conduct at the expense of a terrible slaughter.

Twice defeated, they had recourse once more to submission.  Caesar, who found the winter approaching, provisions scarce, and his fleet not fit to contend with that rough and tempestuous sea in a winter voyage, hearkened to their proposals, exacting double the number of the former hostages.  He then set sail with his whole army.

In this first expedition into Britain, Caesar did not make, nor indeed could he expect, any considerable advantage.  He acquired a knowledge of the sea-coast, and of the country contiguous to it; and he became acquainted with the force, the manner of fighting, and the military character of the people.  To compass these purposes he did not think a part of the summer ill-bestowed.  But early in the next he prepared to make a more effective use of the experience he had gained.  He embarked again at the same port, but with a more numerous army.  The Britons, on their part, had prepared more regularly for their defence in this than the former year.  Several of those states which were nearest and most exposed to the danger had, during Caesar’s absence, combined for their common safety, and chosen Cassibelan, a chief of power and reputation, for the leader of their union.  They seemed resolved to dispute the landing of the Romans with their former intrepidity.  But when they beheld the sea covered, as far as the eye could reach, with the multitude of the enemy’s ships, (for they were eight hundred sail,) they despaired of defending the coast, they retired into the woods’ and fastnesses, and Caesar landed his army without opposition.

The Britons now saw the necessity of altering their former method of war.  They no longer, therefore, opposed the Romans in the open field; they formed frequent ambuscades; they divided themselves into light flying parties, and continually harassed the enemy on his march.  This plan, though in their circumstances the most judicious, was attended with no great success.  Caesar forced some of their strongest intrenchments, and then carried the war directly into the territories of Cassibelan.