1But Jugurtha, recognising the folly and inexperience of the legate, craftily increased his madness, kept sending envoys to plead for terms, and himself, as if avoiding him, led his army through wooded country and by-paths. 2At last, by the hope of a settlement, he induced Aulus to leave Suthul and follow him, as if he were retreating, into remote regions: in this way his misdeeds were better hidden. 3Meanwhile, day and night, through crafty agents he kept tampering with the army, bribing centurions and commanders of cavalry squadrons, some to desert, others to abandon their posts at a given signal. 4When he had arranged these matters to his liking, in the dead of night he suddenly surrounded Aulus' camp with a host of Numidians.
5Of the Roman soldiers, struck by the unaccustomed uproar, some seized their arms, others hid themselves, some encouraged the frightened, and there was panic everywhere. 5The enemy's force was great, the sky darkened by night and clouds, the danger on both sides; 5in short, whether it was safer to flee or to stay was uncertain. 6But of the number whom we said had been bribed shortly before, one cohort of Ligurians together with two squadrons of Thracians and a few common soldiers went over to the king, and the chief centurion of the Third Legion gave the enemy a way in through the fortification he had been assigned to defend, and by that way all the Numidians burst in.
7Our men, in shameful flight, most of them having thrown away their arms, occupied the nearest hill. 8Night and the plunder of the camp held the enemy back from making use of their victory. 9Then on the following day Jugurtha spoke with Aulus in a parley: although he held him and his army shut in by hunger and the sword, still, being mindful of the fortunes of men, if Aulus made a treaty with him, he would send them all under the yoke unharmed; 9and furthermore Aulus must leave Numidia within ten days. 10Although these terms were harsh and full of disgrace, nevertheless, because they were being exchanged for the fear of death, peace was agreed just as the king had wished.