Page:Cassell's Illustrated History of England vol 1.djvu/21

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TO A.D. 418.]
CONQUEST OF BRITAIN BY THE ROMANS.
7

tion, doubtless, were not wanting amongst them. At last they were compelled to give way, and retreat to the shelter of the woods, with their chariots and broken ranks. Cæsar himself informs us that he was prevented from pursuing the victory by the absence of his cavalry—a circumstance which he bitterly laments, since its presence alone was wanting to crown his fortune.

Landing of Julius Cæsar. (See p. 6.)

Although it does not appear that he ventured to follow the fugitives, the victory must have been complete, seeing they sent ambassadors, accompanied by Comius, whom the Britons released from his prison and chains to sue for peace. The victor complained, and with some show of justice, of the reception he had met with, after they had sent envoys to him in Gaul with offers of submission, and also of the