with their owne right hands, as taking great snuffe and indignation, because they could have nothing of that provision of corne which was newly brought unto them: for that Barbatio, when he passed hard by, prowdly caught it up be∣fore hand, and the residue which remained behind, he layed, upon an heape, and burnt it every jot. Which, whether he did like a vaine and braine-ficke foole, or boldly enterprised many wicked attempts by commaundement from the Empe∣rour, was not then knowne. Howbeit, this was bruited abroad in all places, and rife in every mans mouth, That Iulian was not chosen [Caesar] to give easement to the distressed state of Gaule, but that hee might by most cruell warres there come to his end, being then (as it was thought) but a fresh-water souldior, and one that could not endure so much as the clattering noyse of armour. Well, whiles the worke about the sayd fort goeth apace forward, whiles part of the souldiors maketh fore-fences abroad in the fields, and others againe gather corne warily, for feare of ambushments, the barbarous multitude preventing with ex∣ceeding celeritie the rumour of their comming, having violently on a suddaine set upon Barbatio and the armie which hee had the conduct of (as hath beene said) divided and severed from them by a Gaulish fortification, and following them in chase as farre as to the Rauraci, yea, and further as long as they could, after they had carried away the greatest part of their carriages, labouring beasts, and campe slaves, returned home againe. And he, as if hee had performed a notable and fortunate expedition, bestowed his souldiors here and there in their Wintering harbours, and returned to the Emperours Court, minding to frame an action and accusation against Caesar, as his manner was, readie at all times bitterly to assayle and vexe him. When this foule foyle and terrour was once dispersed and spread abroad, the Aleman kings, Chonodomarius and Vestral∣pus, Vrius also, and Vrsicinus, together with Secapio, Suomarius, and Hortarius, as∣sembling all their forces and power together into one place, sat them downe neere unto Argentoratum, supposing that Caesar was retyred for feare of utter extremitie, whereas he continued still busily employed about the finishing of the fort abovesaid. Now, that which made them the bolder to beare their heads more confidently, was a certaine false and fugitive ( Scutarius) who fea∣ring punishment for a crime committed, fled unto them after the departure of his captaine put to flight, and declared, that there remained not above fifteene thousand armed men with Iulianus: for that number (indeed) followed after, whiles the fierce and cruell Barbarians were on every side set upon rage and furious fight. Vpon whose constant avouching still of the same tale, they were pricked on with boldnesse to dare greater matters; and so sending their em∣bassadours away, imperiously ynough commaunded Caesar to depart out of those landes which they had conquered by their valour, and at the swords point.