But at that time Gelimer, by distributing much money to the farmers among the Libyans and shewing great friendliness toward them, succeeded in winning many to his side.  These he commanded to kill the Romans who went out into the country, proclaiming a fixed sum of gold for each man killed, to be paid to him who did the deed.  And they killed many from the Roman army, not soldiers, however, but slaves and servants, who because of a desire for money went up into the villages stealthily and were caught.  And the farmers brought their heads before Gelimer and departed receiving their pay, while he supposed that they had slain soldiers of the enemy.

At that time Diogenes, the aide of Belisarius, made a display of valorous deeds.  For having been sent, together with twenty-two of the body-guards, to spy upon their opponents, he came to a place two days’ journey distant from Carthage.  And the farmers of the place, being unable to kill these men, reported to Gelimer that they were there.  And he chose out and sent against them three hundred horsemen of the Vandals, enjoining upon them to bring all the men alive before him.  For it seemed to him a most remarkable achievement to make captive a personal aide of Belisarius with twenty-two body-guards.  Now Diogenes and his party had entered a certain house and were sleeping in the upper storey, having no thought of the enemy in mind, since, indeed, they had learned that their opponents were far away.  But the Vandals, coming there at early dawn, thought it would not be to their advantage to destroy the doors of the house or to enter it in the dark, fearing lest, being involved in a night encounter, they might themselves destroy one another, and at the same time, if that should happen, provide a way of escape for a large number of the enemy in the darkness.  But they did this because cowardice had paralyzed their minds, though it would have been possible for them with no trouble, by carrying torches or even without these, to catch their enemies in their beds not only without weapons, but absolutely naked besides.  But as it was, they made a phalanx in a circle about the whole house and especially at the doors, and all took their stand there.  But in the meantime it so happened that one of the Roman soldiers was roused from sleep, and he, noticing the noise which the Vandals made as they talked stealthily among themselves and moved with their weapons, was able to comprehend what was being done, and rousing each one of his comrades silently, he told them what was going on.  And they, following the opinion of Diogenes, all put on their clothes quietly and taking up their weapons went below.  There they put the bridles on their horses and leaped upon them unperceived by anyone.  And after standing for a time by the court-yard entrance, they suddenly opened the door there, and straightway all came out.  And then the Vandals immediately closed with them, but they accomplished nothing.  For the Romans