Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.5, 1865).djvu/204

 196 ANTONY. conducted the army bound, and, on the third, when An- tony had given up all thought of the enemy, and was marching at his ease in no very good order, the Mardian, perceiving the Ijank of a river broken down, and the •water let out and overflowing the road by which they were to pass, saw at once that this was the handiwork of the Parthians, done out of mischief, and to hinder their march ; so he advised Antony to be upon his guard, for that the enemy was nigh at hand. And no sooner had he begun to put his men in order, disposing the slingers and dartrmen in convenient intervals for siiUying out, but the Parthians came pouring in on all sides, fully expecting to encompass them, and throw the whole army into dis- order. They were at once attacked by the light troops, whom they galled a good deal with their arrows ; but, being themselves as warmly entertained with the slings and darts, and many wounded, they made their retreat. Soon after, rallying up afresh, they were beat back by a battalion of Gallic horse, and appeared no more that day. By their manner of attack Antony seeing what to do, not only placed the slings and darts as a rear guard, but also lined both flanks with them, and so marched in a square battle, giving order to the horse to charge and beat off the enemy, but not to follow them far as they retired. So that the Parthians, not doing more mischief for the four ensuing days than they received, began to abate in their zeal, and, complaining that the winter season was much advanced, pressed for returning home. But, on the fifth day. Flavins Gallus, a brave and active officer, who had a considerable command in the army, came to Antony, desiring of him some light-infantry out of the rear, and some horse out of the front, with which he would undertake to do some considerable service. Which when he had obtained, he beat the enemy back, not with- drawing, as was usual, at the same time, and retreating