Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/390

 372 THE DFXLTNE AND FALL CHAP, the inhabitants, who were acquainted with its secret ^^^' paths and inaccessible fortresses. On the approach of Constantius, the Limigantes tried the efficacy of prayers, of fraud, and of arms ; but he sternly rejected their supplications, defeated their rude stratagems, and repelled with skill and firmness the efforts of their irre- gular valour. One of their most warlike tribes, estab- lished in a small island towards the conflux of the Teyss and the Danube, consented to pass the river with the intention of surprising the emperor during the security of an amicable conference. They soon be- came the victims of the perfidy which they meditated. Encompassed on every side, trampled down by the cavalry, slaughtered by the swords of the legions, they disdained to ask for mercy; and with an undaunted countenance still grasped their weapons in the agonies of death. After this victory a considerable body of Romans was landed on the opposite banks of the Dan- ube ; the Taifalae, a Gothic tribe engaged in the" ser- vice of the empire, invaded the Limigantes on the side of the Teyss ; and their former masters, the free Sar- matians, animated by hope and revenge, penetrated through the hilly country into the heart of their ancient possessions. A general conflagration revealed the huts of the barbarians, which were seated in the depth of the wilderness; and the soldier fought with confidence on marshy ground, which it was dangerous for him to tread. In this extremity, the bravest of the Limigantes were resolved to die in arms, rather than to yield : but the milder sentiment, enforced by the authority of their elders, at length prevailed; and the suppliant crowd, followed by their wives and children, repaired to ^he imperial camp, to learn their fate from the mouth of the conqueror. After celebrating his own clemency, which was still inclined to pardon their repeated crimes, and to spare the remnant of a guilty nation, Constan- tius assigned for the place of their exile a remote country, where they might enjoy a safe and honour- able repose. The Limigantes obeyed with reluctance;