§7.45.1Hac re cognita Caesar mittit complures equitum turmas; eis de media nocte imperat, ut paulo tumultuosius omnibus locis vagarentur.
Having learned this, Caesar sends several troops of cavalry; he commands them to range about in every direction somewhat more noisily from midnight.
§7.45.2Prima luce magnum numerum impedimentorum ex castris mulorumque produci deque his stramenta detrahi mulionesque cum cassidibus equitum specie ac simulatione collibus circumvehi iubet.
At dawn, he orders a large number of baggage horses and mules to be led out of the camp, and the pack-saddles to be taken off them, and the muleteers, wearing helmets, to ride around the hills in the guise and appearance of cavalry.
§7.45.3His paucos addit equites qui latius ostentationis causa vagarentur.
To these he adds a few cavalrymen to range more widely for the sake of show.
Longo circuitu easdem omnes iubet petere regiones.
He orders them all to head for the same regions by a long detour.
§7.45.4Haec procul ex oppido videbantur, ut erat a Gergovia despectus in castra, neque tanto spatio certi quid esset explorari poterat.
These things were visible from the town far away, as there was a view from Gergovia down into the camp, but at such a distance it was impossible to discern for certain what it was.
§7.45.5Legionem unam eodem iugo mittit et paulum progressam inferiore constituit loco silvisque occultat.
He sends one legion along the same ridge, and having advanced a little, he stations it in a lower position and conceals it in the woods.
§7.45.6Augetur Gallis suspicio, atque omnes illo ad munitionem copiae traducuntur.
The suspicion of the Gauls is increased, and all their forces are transferred to that place for the fortification.
§7.45.7Vacua castra hostium Caesar conspicatus tectis insignibus suorum occultatisque signis militaribus raros milites, ne ex oppido animadverterentur, ex maioribus castris in minora traducit legatisque, quos singulis legionibus praefecerat, quid fieri velit ostendit: §7.45.8in primis monet ut contineant milites, ne studio pugnandi aut spe praedae longius progrediantur; §7.45.9quid iniquitas loci habeat incommodi proponit: hoc una celeritate posse mutari; occasionis esse rem, non proeli.
Caesar, having observed that the camp of the enemy was empty, after covering the crests of his men's helmets and concealing their military standards, transfers his soldiers in small groups from the larger camp to the smaller, so that they might not be noticed from the town; and he explains to the lieutenants, whom he had put in command of each legion, what he wished to be done: especially he warns them to keep their soldiers in check, lest they advance too far from enthusiasm for fighting or hope of plunder; he sets before them what disadvantage the inequality of the ground has: this, he says, can be altered by speed alone; that it was a matter of opportunity, not of a battle.
§7.45.10His rebus expositis signum dat et ab dextra parte alio ascensu eodem tempore Aeduos mittit.
Having explained these matters, he gives the signal, and at the same time sends the Aedui by another ascent from the right side.