1Marius meanwhile, having settled the army in winter quarters, sets out with the light-armed cohorts and part of the cavalry into desert country to besiege a royal tower, in which Jugurtha had placed all the deserters as a garrison. 2Then once again Bocchus, either from reflecting on what had befallen him in two battles, or on the advice of other friends whom Jugurtha had left unbribed, chose from the whole number of his intimates five men whose loyalty was known and whose abilities were very great. 3He orders them to go as envoys to Marius and then, if it seemed good, to Rome, and gives them full authority to negotiate and to settle the war on any terms.
4They set out promptly for the Romans' winter quarters, but then on the way they were surrounded and robbed by Gaetulian bandits and fled in fear and without dignity to Sulla, whom the consul, when setting out on his expedition, had left behind as propraetor. 5He treated them, not as untrustworthy enemies, as they had deserved, but with care and generosity. 5Because of this the barbarians thought that the reputation of the Romans for greed was false, and that Sulla, because of his munificence towards them, was their friend. 6For even then many did not know about bribery; 6no one was thought generous unless he was also well-disposed; 6all gifts were regarded as kindness.
7So they disclose Bocchus' instructions to the quaestor; 7at the same time they ask him to be their supporter and adviser; 7they extol in their speech the forces, the good faith and the greatness of their king, and other things which they believed were either useful or would win goodwill. 7Then, when Sulla had promised everything, they were taught how to speak before Marius and likewise before the senate, and wait there for about forty days.