§8.13.1Non intermittunt interim cotidiana proelia in conspectu utrorumque castrorum, quae ad vada transitusque fiebant paludis. §8.13.2Qua contentione Germani, quos propterea Caesar traduxerat Rhenum ut equitibus interpositi proeliarentur, cum constantius universi paludem transissent paucisque resistentibus interfectis pertinacius reliquam multitudinem essent insecuti, perterriti non solum ei qui aut comminus opprimebantur aut eminus vulnerabantur, sed etiam qui longius subsidiari consuerant, turpiter refugerunt, §8.13.3nec prius finem fugae fecerunt saepe amissis superioribus locis quam se aut in castra suorum reciperent, aut nonnulli pudore coacti longius profugerent. §8.13.4Quorum periculo sic omnes copiae sunt perturbatae ut vix iudicari posset, utrum secundis minimisque rebus insolentiores an adverso mediocri casu timidiores essent.
Meanwhile, daily skirmishes did not cease in the sight of both camps, which took place at the fords and crossings of the marsh. In this conflict, when the Germans, whom Caesar had brought across the Rhine for the purpose of fighting intermingled with the cavalry, had crossed the marsh in a body with greater resolution and, having slain the few who resisted, had pursued the rest of the multitude more relentlessly, those who were either crushed at close quarters or wounded from a distance, as well as those who had been accustomed to stand as a reserve further off, were thoroughly terrified and shamefully fled; nor did they make an end of their flight, though they often lost the higher ground, until they either retreated into the camp of their own men, or some, compelled by shame, fled further away. By their danger, all the forces were so thrown into confusion that it could scarcely be decided whether they had been more insolent in very small success, or more cowardly in a moderate reverse.