§21.27.1iamque omnibus satis conparatis ad traiciendum terrebant ex adverso hostes omnem ripam equites virique obtinentes.
And now, when all things were sufficiently prepared for the crossing, the enemy on the opposite side kept terrifying them, occupying the entire bank with horse and foot.
§21.27.2quos ut averteret, Hannonem Bomilcaris filium vigilia prima noctis cum parte copiarum, §21.27.3maxime Hispanis, adverso flumine ire iter unius diei iubet et, ubi primum possit, quam occultissime traiecto amni circumducere agmen, ut, cum opus facto sit, adoriatur ab tergo hostes.
In order to distract them, Hannibal, at the first watch of the night, ordered Hanno, the son of Bomilcar, with a part of the forces, chiefly Spaniards, to march up the river for one day's journey, and, as soon as he could, having crossed the river as secretly as possible, to lead his army around, so that when action was required, he might attack the enemy from the rear.
§21.27.4ad id dati duces Galli edocent, inde milia quinque et viginti ferme supra parvae insulae circumfusum amnem latiore, ubi dividebatur, eoque minus alto alveo transitum ostendere.
The Gallic guides assigned for this purpose explained that about twenty-five miles above that place, the river flowing around a small island, where it was divided, was wider and therefore offered a crossing with a shallower bed.
§21.27.5ibi raptim caesa materia ratesque fabricatae, in quibus equi virique et alia onera traicerentur.
There, timber was hastily felled and rafts were constructed, on which horses, men, and other loads might be transported.
Hispani sine ulla mole in utres vestimentis coniectis ipsi caetris superpositis incubantes flumen tranavere.
The Spaniards, without any trouble, threw their clothes into skins, and lying upon their shields which they had placed on top of them, swam across the river.
§21.27.6et alius exercitus ratibus iunctis traiectus, castris prope flumen positis, nocturno itinere atque operis labore fessus quiete unius diei reficitur, intento duce ad consilium opportune exsequendum.
And the rest of the army, having crossed on the joined rafts and pitched their camp near the river, refreshed themselves with one day's rest, being fatigued by the night march and the labor of the work, while their commander was intent on executing the plan at the opportune moment.
§21.27.7postero die profecti ex composito fumo significant transisse et haud procul abesse.
On the following day, having set out, they signaled by smoke, as had been agreed, that they had crossed and were not far off.
quod ubi accepit Hannibal, ne tempori deesset, dat signum ad traiciendum.
When Hannibal received this, so that he might not miss the opportunity, he gave the signal for crossing.
§21.27.8iam paratas aptatasque habebat pedes lintres, eques fere propter equos naves.
The infantry already had their small boats ready and fitted, and the cavalry had larger ships, mostly on account of the horses.
navium agmen ad excipiendum adversi impetum fluminis parte superiore transmittens tranquillitatem infra traicientibus lintribus praebebat.
By sending the line of ships across higher up the river to break the force of the opposing current, he provided calm water below for the small boats crossing there.
§21.27.9equorum pars magna nantes loris a puppibus trahebantur praeter eos, quos instratos frenatosque, ut extemplo egresso in ripam equiti usui essent, inposuerant in naves.
A large part of the horses were towed swimming by reins from the sterns, except those which they had placed on board the ships, fully saddled and bridled so that they might be of immediate use to the riders upon landing on the bank.