§8.14.1Compluribus diebus isdem in castris consumptis, cum propius accessisse legiones et Gaium Trebonium legatum cognossent, duces Bellovacorum veriti similem obsessionem Alesiae noctu dimittunt eos quos aut aetate aut viribus inferiores aut inermes habebant, unaque reliqua impedimenta.
Having spent several days in the same camp, when they learned that the legions and Gaius Trebonius the lieutenant had approached closer, the leaders of the Bellovaci, fearing a siege similar to that of Alesia, sent away by night those whom they held to be inferior in age or strength, or who were unarmed, and with them the rest of their baggage.
§8.14.2Quorum perturbatum et confusum dum explicant agmen (magna enim multitudo carrorum etiam expeditos sequi Gallos consuevit), oppressi luce copias armatorum pro suis instruunt castris, ne prius Romani persequi se inciperent quam longius agmen impedimentorum suorum processisset.
While they were extricating their disordered and confused column (for a great multitude of carts was accustomed to follow the Gauls even when they were light-armed), they were overtaken by daylight, and drew up their forces of armed men in front of their camp, lest the Romans should begin to pursue them before the column of their baggage had proceeded further.
§8.14.3At Caesar neque resistentes adgrediendos tanto collis ascensu iudicabat, neque non usque eo legiones admovendas ut discedere ex eo loco sine periculo barbari militibus instantibus non possent.
But Caesar judged neither that they should be attacked while resisting on so steep an ascent of the hill, nor yet that the legions should not be advanced so far that the barbarians could not withdraw from that place without danger under the pressure of his soldiers.
§8.14.4Ita, cum palude impedita a castris castra dividi videret, quae transeundi difficultas celeritatem insequendi tardare posset, atque id iugum quod trans paludem paene ad hostium castra pertineret mediocri valle a castris eorum intercisum animum adverteret, pontibus palude constrata legiones traducit celeriterque in summam planitiem iugi pervenit, quae declivi fastigio duobus ab lateribus muniebatur.
Therefore, seeing that camp was divided from camp by a difficult marsh, the difficulty of crossing which might retard the speed of pursuit, and observing that the ridge which extended across the marsh almost to the enemy's camp was separated from their camp by a moderate valley, he threw bridges over the marsh, led his legions across, and quickly reached the flat top of the ridge, which was protected on both sides by a downward slope.
§8.14.5Ibi legionibus instructis ad ultimum iugum pervenit aciemque eo loco constituit unde tormento missa tela in hostium cuneos conici possent.
There, having drawn up the legions, he advanced to the extremity of the ridge and stationed his battle line in that place from which missiles discharged by engines could be cast into the masses of the enemy.