tooke small regard to defend the passage, as though they had béene
sure inough. But Plautius appointed a certeine number of Germans which
he had there with him (being vsed to swim ouer riuers although neuer
so swift) to get ouer, which they did, sleaing and wounding the
Britains horsses, which were fastened to their wagons or chariots, so
that the Britains were not able to doo anie péece of their accustomed
seruice with the same.

Herewithall was Flauius Vespasianus (that afterwards was emperour)
with his brother Sabinus sent ouer that riuer, which being got to the
further side, slue a great number of the enimies. The residue of the
Britains fled, but the next day proffered a new battell, in the which
they fought so stoutlie, that the victorie depended long in doubtfull
balance, till Caius Sidius Geta being almost at point to be taken, did
so handle the matter, that the Britains finallie were put to flight:
for the which his valiant dooings, triumphant honors were bestowed
vpon him, although he was no consull.

The Britains after this battell, withdrew to the riuer of Thames,
néere to the place where it falleth into the sea, and knowing the
shallowes and firme places thereof, easilie passed ouer to the further
side, whom the Romans following, through lacke of knowledge in the
nature of the places, they fell into the marish grounds, and so came
to lose manie of their men, namelie of the Germans, which were the
first that passed ouer the riuer to follow the Britains, partlie by a
bridge which lay within the countrie ouer the said riuer, and partlie
by swimming, and other such shift as they presentlie made.

[Sidenote: _Togodumnus_]
The Britains hauing lost one of their rulers, namelie Togodumnus