CHAP. XIV.
BUt Belisarius marcht in order for a battel towards Carthage. He gave 3••0 of his Targetiers to John, who was the Steward of his houshold, whom the Romans call Optio; being an Armenian, and eminent for valour and discretion. Him he directed to march some two miles and a half before the Army, and to give warning, if they see an enemy, that the Army may prepare for fight. And to the left hand of the Army, he directed the Massagetes to march. And himself was in the rear with his best men, looking for Gelimer to come shortly from Her∣mione. To the right hand was no fear, being to march by the sea-shore; and the seamen he commanded to keep them company, by letting down all their sails, but their sprit sail, in case of a strong gale; and in a calm, to force their way with oars. When they came to Syllectus, Belisarius had his soldiers most sober, not striking, nor using any disorder. And the Africans he so gained with his gentleness, that he marcht as in his own Country; the people not withdrawing themselves nor goods, but giving free market, and being very serviceable to the soldier. They marcht ten miles a day, till they came to Carthage, lodging still in a Town, or safely in their Camp. We came by Lepta and Adrymettum to Grassa, about 43 miles from Carthage; where was a Palace of the Vandal Governor, and the fai∣rest Gardens we ever saw, aboundantly watered with fountains; and with a large grove of trees loaded with ripe fruit, whereof the soldiers took their fill without any miss, every man setting his cabbin under a fruit-tree.
But Gelimer hearing the enemies arrival, wrote from Hermione to Carthage, to his brother Ammatas, to kill Ilderick, and the other prisoners of his bloud, and otherwise appertaining to him; and himself to arm the Vandals, and such forces as he had in the City; and at the narrow passage near a town called Deci∣mum, to charge the enemy on both sides, and so to catch him as in a net. Am∣matas accordingly killed Ilderick, and his cousin Evagees: Hoamer was dead be∣fore. He armed also the Vandals, to sally in the due time. Gelimer followed us close; and one night only, as we lodged in Grassa, he gave us an alarm; upon some skirmishing of our scouts with theirs; by whose returning to the Camp, we understood the enemy to be near. From hence marching, we lost sight of our ships, being put to go about some high rocks there, and a Promontory under which stands Mercurium. Belisarius sent word to Archelaus the Commissary, not to put in at Carthage, but to stay 25 miles short, till he send for them. From Grassa the fourth day we came to Decimum, about 8 miles from Carthage. This day Gelimer sent his Nephew, Gibamumdus, before with 2000 Vandals, to march to our left hand; that so Ammatas from Carthage. himself in our rear, and Giba∣mundus at our left hand, charging together, might compass us.