1There a certain Numidian named Aspar was in frequent and familiar company with Bocchus, sent ahead by Jugurtha, after he had heard that Sulla had been summoned, as his spokesman and to spy craftily on Bocchus' plans; 1there was also Dabar, son of Massugrada, of the line of Masinissa, but inferior on his mother's side — for his father was born of a concubine — who was dear and welcome to the Moor for his many good qualities. 2Bocchus, having found him loyal to the Romans on many occasions before, at once sends him to Sulla to announce that he was ready to do what the Roman people wished; 2Sulla himself should choose the day, place and time for a conference, and should not fear Jugurtha's envoy; 2he was deliberately keeping everything open with him, so that their common business might be carried on more freely; 2for in no other way could he have guarded against his plots.
3But I find that Bocchus, with Punic faith rather than for the reasons he professed, was holding both the Romans and the Numidian in hope of peace, and was in the habit of turning over long in his mind whether to hand Jugurtha over to the Romans or Sulla to him; 3his inclination counselled against us, his fear for us.