§8.34.1Quod cum animadverterent oppidani miserrimaque Alesiae memoria solliciti similem casum obsessionis vererentur, maximeque ex omnibus Lucterius, qui fortunae illius periculum fecerat, moneret frumenti rationem esse habendam, constituunt omnium consensu parte ibi relicta copiarum ipsi cum expeditis ad importandum frumentum proficisci.
When the townsmen observed this and, anxious from the most wretched memory of Alesia, feared a similar fate of blockade, and especially of them all, Lucterius, who had experienced the danger of that disaster, warned that account must be taken of the grain supply, they resolve by general consent, having left a part of their forces there, that they themselves with light-armed troops should set out to bring in grain.
§8.34.2Eo consilio probato proxima nocte duobus milibus armatorum relictis reliquos ex oppido Drappes et Lucterius educunt.
This plan being approved, on the next night, leaving two thousand armed men behind, Drappes and Lucterius lead out the rest from the town.
§8.34.3Hi paucos dies morati ex finibus Cadurcorum, qui partim re frumentaria sublevare eos cupiebant, partim prohibere quo minus sumerent non poterant, magnum numerum frumenti comparant, nonnumquam autem expeditionibus nocturnis castella nostrorum adoriuntur.
They, having delayed a few days, procure a large quantity of grain from the territory of the Cadurci, who partly wished to assist them with grain, and partly were unable to prevent them from taking it; and sometimes they attack the redoubts of our men in nightly expeditions.
§8.34.4Quam ob causam Gaius Caninius toto oppido munitiones circumdare moratur, ne aut opus effectum tueri non possit aut plurimis in locis infirma disponat praesidia.
For which reason Gaius Caninius delays surrounding the whole town with fortifications, lest he should either be unable to protect the completed work, or post weak garrisons in too many places.