Seuerus therefore meaning to subdue the whole, and vnderstanding their
nature, and the manner of their making warre, prouided him selfe of
all things expedient for the annoiance of them and helpe of his owne
souldiers, and appointing his sonne Geta to remaine in that part of
the Ile which was subiect to the Romans, he tooke with him his other
sonne Antoninus, and with his armie marched foorth, and entred into
the confines of the enimies, and there began to waste and forrey
the countrie, whereby there insued diuerse conflicts and skirmishes
betwixt the Romans and the inhabitants, the victorie still remaining
on the Romans side: but the enimies easilie escaped without anie great
losse vnto the woods, mountains, bogs, and such other places of refuge
as they knew to be at hand, whither the Romans durst not follow, nor
once approch, for feare to be intrapped and inclosed by the Britains
that were readie to returne and assaile their enimies vpon euerie
occasion of aduantage that might be offered.

This maner of dealing sore troubled the Romans, and so hindered them
[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius_.]
in their procéedings, that no spéedie end could be made of that
warre. The Britains would oftentimes of purpose laie their cattell, as
oxen, kine, shéepe, and such like, in places conuenient, to be as a
stale to the Romans; and when the Romans should make to them to fetch
the same awaie, being distant from the residue of the armie a good
space, they would fall vpon them and distresse them. Beside this, the
Romans were much annoied with the vnwholesomnesse of the waters which
they were forced to drinke, and if they chanced to straie abroad, they
were snapped vp by ambushes which the Caledonians laid for them, and
when they were so féeble that they could not through want of strength
kéepe pace with their fellowes as they marched in order of battell,
they were slaine by their owne fellowes, least they should be left