Page:Frontinus - The stratagems, and, the aqueducts of Rome (Bennet et al 1925).djvu/295

 STRATAGEMS, III. xin. 6-xiv. i

in swimming and boating, to mount the skins, which he had fastened together at the bottom by two strips some distance apart, and to make the trip of seven miles across. So skilfully did the soldier do this that, by spreading his legs, he steered his course as though by rudder, and deceived those watching from a distance by appearing to be some marine creature.^

The consul Hirtius often sent letters inscribed on lead plates to Decimus Brutus, who was besieged by Antonius at Mutina. The letters were fastened to the arms of soldiers, who then swam across the Scultenna River.-

Hirtius also shut up pigeons in the dark, starved them, fastened letters to their necks by a hair, and then released them as near to the city walls as he could. The birds, eager for light and food, sought the highest buildings and were received by Bi-utus, who in that way was informed of everything, especially after he set food in certain spots and taught the pigeons to alight there. ^

XIV. On Lntiioducing Reinforcements and Supplying Provisions

In the Civil War, when the Spanish city ot Ategua, belonging to Pompey's party, was under blockade, one night a Moor, pretending to be a tribune's adjutant belonging to the Caesarian party, roused certain sentries and got from them the pass- word. He then roused others, and by continuing his deception, succeeded in conducting reinforce- ments for Pompey through the midst of Caesar's troops.'*

to betray the citj^ Thus having once learned the password, he secures an easy entrance into the city.

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