Bravery & Strategy in Battle

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inside the camp called Vertico, born in a high ranking position, who had fled to Cicero from the first siege, and had shown his loyalty to him. This man persuaded his slave, with the hope of freedom and with great rewards to carry letters to Caesar. The slave carried these out, tied onto his javelin, and as a Gaul coming and going among the Gauls without any suspicion he reached Caesar. He got to know from him about the dangers of Cicero and the legion.

He came into the territories of the Nervians by a great journey. There he got to know from prisoners what was happening at Cicero’s camp, and in how much danger the matter was. Then he persuaded a certain man from the Gallic cavalry, with great rewards, to carry a letter to Cicero. He sent this written in Greek letters, so that, if the letter was intercepted, our plans were not understood by the enemy. If he could not approach, he advised him to throw a spear with the letter tied to the strap inside the fortifications of the camp. In the letters he wrote that he would be present with the legion, having set out quickly. He encouraged him to maintain his former courage. The Gaul, fearing danger, as had been ordered, threw the spear. By chance, this stuck to a tower, and was not seen by our men for two days, having been noticed on the third day by a certain soldier. Having been taken down, it was carried to Cicero. He, having read through, read it out in the assembly of soldiers, and filled everyone with the greatest joy. Then smoke from fires was seen at a distance, which sight cast out all doubt of the arrival of the legion.