CHAPTER IV

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LANDING OF JULIUS CÆSAR.

Cæsar's reasons for invading Britain--Despatches Volusenus from Gaul to reconnoitre the island--Is intimidated by the force he finds arranged along the cliffs of Dover--Lands near Sandwich --Courage of the Roman Standard-bearer--Combat between the Britons and Romans--Defeat and submission of the Britons-- Wreck of the Roman galleys--Perilous position of the invaders --Roman soldiers attacked in a corn-field, rescued by the arrival of their general--Britons attack the Roman encampment, are again defeated, and pursued by the Roman cavalry--Cæsar's hasty departure from Britain--Return of the Romans at spring --Description of their armed galleys--Determination of Cæsar to conquer Britain--Picturesque description of the night march of the Roman legions into Kent--Battle beside a river --Difficulties the Romans encounter in their marches through the ancient British forests--Cæsar's hasty retreat to his encampment--The Roman galleys again wrecked--Cessation of hostilities--Cassivellaunus assumes the command of the Britons --His skill as a general--Obtains an advantage over the Romans with his war-chariots--Attacks the Roman encampment by night and slays the outer guard--Defeats the two cohorts that advance to their rescue, and slays a Roman tribune--Renewal of the battle on the following day--Cæsar compelled to call in the foragers to strengthen his army--Splendid charge of the Roman cavalry--Overthrow and retreat of the Britons--Cæsar marches through Kent and Surrey in pursuit of the British army --Crosses the Thames near Chertsey--Retreat of the British general--Cuts off the supplies of the Romans, and harasses the army with his war-chariots--Stratagems adopted by the Britons --Cassivellaunus betrayed by his countrymen--His fortress attacked in the forest--Contemplates the destruction of the Roman fleet--Attack of the Kentish men on the encampment of the invaders--The Romans again victorious--Cassivellaunus sues for peace--Final departure of Cæsar from Britain p. 30

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