§6.38.1Erat aeger cum praesidio relictus Publius Sextius Baculus, qui primum pilum ad Caesarem duxerat, cuius mentionem superioribus proeliis fecimus, ac diem iam quintum cibo caruerat. §6.38.2Hic diffisus suae atque omnium saluti inermis ex tabernaculo prodit: videt imminere hostes atque in summo esse rem discrimine: capit arma a proximis atque in porta consistit: §6.38.3consequuntur hunc centuriones eius cohortis quae in statione erat: paulisper una proelium sustinent. §6.38.4Relinquit animus Sextium gravibus acceptis vulneribus: aegre per manus tractus servatur. §6.38.5Hoc spatio interposito reliqui sese confirmant tantum, ut in munitionibus consistere audeant speciemque defensorum praebeant.
Publius Sextius Baculus, who had held the chief centurionship under Caesar, and whom we have mentioned in connection with previous battles, had been left sick with the garrison, and had already been without food for five days. Despairing of his own safety and that of all, he comes out of his tent unarmed; he sees that the enemy are threatening and that the issue is in the greatest danger; he takes arms from those nearest him and stands in the gate. The centurions of that cohort which was on guard follow him; for a short time they sustain the battle together. Sextius faints, having received severe wounds; with difficulty, being dragged along from hand to hand, he is saved. This space of time having intervened, the rest recover themselves so far as to venture to stand on the fortifications and present the appearance of defenders.