Page:The Emperor Marcus Antoninus - His Conversation with Himself.djvu/129

 Rh make up to the Place whither they had withdrawn their best Effects, and where their main Body lay encamp'd. This Enterprize was so much the more hazardous, because the March was long, the Ways almost Impracticable, his Troops perpetually harrass'd by the Barbarians, insomuch that they were forced to move very slowly, for fear of falling into an Ambuscade, or fighting upon ill Ground for want of knowing the Country. But these Difficulties at last were all luckily got over: and Antoninus came up to the Place where the Sarmatians lay encamp'd, between the Ister which was frozen over, and a great Wood. And having concerted how to attack the Enemy in such a Post of Advantage, he drew up his Army in Battalia, the Barbarians did the same: And thus the Charge being sounded, the Romans threw their Darts, and powr'd in upon the Enemy, who receiv'd them with great Courage. The Fight was long and smart, and the Romans being almost asham'd to find so much Resistance, exerted themselves with unusual Bravery, and press'd the Sarmatian Cavalry so hard, that at last they were forced to give way, and retreat to the Ister : And here making a stand upon the Ice, the Imperial Infantry came immediately up with them. And