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Updated: May 31, 2025
Aska, Boduoc, and another chief, each with a hundred men, took their posts in the intrenchments there, while Beric, with a hundred of the Sarci, remained in the great intrenchment on the summit, in readiness to bear down upon any point where aid was required. Soon after daybreak next morning the battle began, the Romans advancing in their flat bottomed boats and springing on shore.
I pretend not to more wisdom than others, and feel that in the presence of one so full of years and experience as Aska it is a presumption for one of my age to give an opinion; but in one respect I know that I am more fitted than others to lead you.
We, too, would shelter in the woods, were it not that we mean to harass the Romans, so we need a place where they cannot find us. But as you go spread the news that Aska has sought refuge in the swamps with two hundred fighting Sarci, and that all capable of bearing arms who choose to join them can do so. They must come to the junction of the two rivers, and there they will hear of us."
"They will not risk another defeat," Aska said, "and they must be sure that, hemmed in as we are, we shall fight to the last." The practicability of throwing the whole force against the Romans at one point, and of so forcing their way through was discussed; but in that case the women and children, over a thousand in number, must be left behind, and the idea was therefore abandoned.
I hear that they spare none, and that the whole land of the Trinobantes, from the Thames to the Stour, has been turned into a waste." "It was only what we had to expect, Aska. Have any more of my people come in since I left?" "Only a young girl. She arrived last night. It is she that brought the news that I am giving you.
There at least we shall live as free men and die as free men." A shout of approval broke from the men. "You need not starve," Aska went on. "The rivers abound with fish and the swamps with waterfowl. There are islands among the swamps where the land is dry, and we can construct huts.
"But how are we to convey our cattle over?" Beric asked. The native shook his head. "It is too far for them to swim, and the ground in most places is a swamp, in which they would sink." "That must be an after matter, Beric," Aska said. "We will talk that over after we have arrived. Evidently we can do nothing now.
The chiefs were greatly pleased with the present, and showed more goodwill than they had exhibited at their first interview. Aska had arranged with Beric to remain behind in charge of the encampment. As soon, therefore, as the presents had been handed over, Beric with Boduoc and three men to each boat took their places and pushed from shore.
Beric asked when they heard the news. "It may be true or it may not," Aska said. "For myself, after the treatment of Boadicea, and the seizure of all her husband's property, I have no faith in Roman promises. However, all this is but a rumour. It will be time enough to consider it when they send in a flag of truce and offer us terms of surrender.
"They must fight under the disadvantage of not knowing the ground, and would fear that in the darkness some of us would slip away." Contrary to expectation the next day passed without any movement by the Romans, and Beric and Aska agreed that most likely the greater portion of the boats had gone back to bring up more troops.
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