suddenlie there arose so great a tempest, that none of them was able
to kéepe his course, so that they were not onelie driuen in sunder
(some being caried againe into Gallia, and some westward) but also the
other ships that lay at anchor, and had brought ouer the armie, were
so pitifullie beaten, tossed and shaken, that a great number of them
did not onelie lose their tackle, but also were caried by force of
wind into the high sea; the rest being likewise so filled with water,
that they were in danger by sinking to perish and to be quite lost.
For the moone in the same night was at the full, & therefore caused a
spring tide, which furthered the force of the tempest, to the greater
perill of those ships and gallies that lay at anchor. There was no way
for the Romans to helpe the matter: wherefore a great number of those
ships were so bruised, rent and weather-beaten, that without new
reparation they would serue to no vse of sailing. This was a great
discomfort to the Romans that had brought ouer no prouision to liue by
in the winter season, nor saw anie hope how they should repasse againe
into Gallia.

In the meane time the British princes that were in the Romane armie,
perceiuing how greatlie this mishap had discouraged the Romans, and
again by the small circuit of their campe, gessing that they could be
no great number, and that lacke of vittels sore oppressed them, they
stale priuilie away one after another out of the campe, purposing
to assemble their powers againe, and to forestall the Romans from
vittels, and so to driue the matter off till winter: which if they
might doo (vanquishing these or closing them from returning) they
trusted that none of the Romans from thencefoorth would attempt
eftsoones to come into Britaine. Cesar mistrusting their dealings,
because they staid to deliuer the residue of their hostages, commanded
vittels to be brought out of the parties adioining, and not hauing