§7.44.1Haec cogitanti accidere visa est facultas bene rei gerendae.
While he was contemplating these things, an opportunity for a successful action seemed to present itself.
Nam cum in minora castra operis perspiciendi causa venisset, animadvertit collem, qui ab hostibus tenebatur, nudatum hominibus, qui superioribus diebus vix prae multitudine cerni poterat.
For when he had come to the smaller camp for the purpose of inspecting the works, he noticed that a hill which was held by the enemy, and which in previous days could scarcely be seen because of the multitude, was stripped of men.
§7.44.2Admiratus quaerit ex perfugis causam, quorum magnus ad eum cotidie numerus confluebat.
Wondering at this, he inquired the reason from the deserters, a large number of whom flocked to him every day.
§7.44.3Constabat inter omnes, quod iam ipse Caesar per exploratores cognoverat, dorsum esse eius iugi prope aequum, sed hunc silvestrem et angustum, qua esset aditus ad alteram partem oppidi; huic loco vehementer illos timere nec iam aliter sentire, uno colle ab Romanis occupato, si alterum amisissent, quin paene circumvallati atque omni exitu et pabulatione interclusi viderentur: ad hunc muniendum omnes a Vercingetorige evocatos.
It was agreed among all—a fact which Caesar himself had already learned through scouts—that the ridge of that crest was almost level, but that this part was wooded and narrow where there was an approach to the other side of the town; they feared exceedingly for this place and now thought no other way than that, with one hill already occupied by the Romans, if they should lose the other, they would seem almost blockaded and cut off from every exit and foraging; and that all had been summoned by Vercingetorix to fortify this place.