CHAP. IV.
Caesar returneth to his Navies, to take order for such losses as had happened by tempest the night be∣fore.
THe next day early in the morning he divided his forces into three companies,* 1.1 & sent them out to pur∣sue the enemy: but before they had marched any far distance, and came to have the rereward of the Enemy in view, there came news from Q. Atrius, with whom he left the ten cohorts, and the charge of the shipping, that the night before there was such a tempest at sea, that the whole Navy was either fore beaten, or cast on shore; and that nei∣ther anchour nor cable could hold them, nor yet the Sailers endure the force of the weather: and that there was great loss in the shipping, by run∣ning against one another in the violence of the tempest.
Upon these news Caesar caused the legions to be called back again, and to cease for that time from following the enemy any further. He himself returned to the navy; where he found that to be true which he had heard, and that a∣bout forty ships were lost, and the rest not to be repaired but with great industry and paines. First therfore he chose ship-wrights and carpen∣ters out of the legions, and caused others to be sent for out of Gallia, and wrote to Labienus to make ready what shipping he could. And al∣though it seemed a matter of great difficulty and much labour, yet he thought it best to hale up all the ships on shore, and to inclose them within the fortification of his camp. In this bu∣siness he spent ten daies, without intermis∣sion either of night or day, until he had drawn up the ships, and strongly fortified the camp; leaving the same garrison which was there before, to defend it.
THE OBSERVATION.
WHerein we may behold the true image of undaunted valour, & the horrible industry (as Tully termeth it) which he used to prevent Fortune of her stroke in his business, and com∣prehend casualties and future contingents within the compasse of order, and the bounds of his own power; being able in ten dayes space to set al∣most eight hundred ships from the hazard of wind & weather, & to make his Camp the Road for his Navy, that so he might rest secure of a means to return at his pleasure.