§5.50.1Eo die parvulis equestribus proeliis ad aquam factis utrique sese suo loco continent: §5.50.2Galli, quod ampliores copias, §5.50.3quae nondum convenerant, exspectabant; Caesar, si forte timoris simulatione hostes in suum locum elicere posset, ut citra vallem pro castris proelio contenderet, si id efficere non posset, §5.50.4ut exploratis itineribus minore cum periculo vallem rivumque transiret.
On that day, after minor cavalry skirmishes had taken place near the water, both sides kept themselves in their own position: the Gauls, because they were waiting for larger forces which had not yet assembled; Caesar, in order that, if by chance he could entice the enemy to his own ground by a simulation of fear, he might fight a battle in front of his camp on this side of the valley; or if he could not accomplish that, that, after exploring the routes, he might cross the valley and the river with less danger.
Prima luce hostium equitatus ad castra accedit proeliumque cum nostris equitibus committit.
At dawn the enemy's cavalry approached the camp and engaged in battle with our cavalry.
§5.50.5Caesar consulto equites cedere seque in castra recipere iubet, simul ex omnibus partibus castra altiore vallo muniri portasque obstrui atque in his administrandis rebus quam maxime concursari et cum simulatione agi timoris iubet.
Caesar purposely ordered the cavalry to retreat and withdraw into the camp, and at the same time ordered the camp to be fortified on all sides with a higher rampart and the gates to be blocked up, and that in executing these things there should be as much running about as possible and that they should act with a simulation of fear.