1Meanwhile at Rome there was great rejoicing when Metellus' achievements became known: how he was conducting himself and his army in the manner of their ancestors, how on unfavourable ground he had nevertheless been victorious by valour, was master of the enemy's territory, and had compelled Jugurtha, made arrogant by the slackness of Albinus, to place his hope of safety in the wilderness or in flight. 2So the senate decreed thanksgivings to the immortal gods for these successes; 2the citizens, anxious before and troubled about the outcome of the war, were joyful; 2the reputation of Metellus was splendid. 3Accordingly he strove for victory all the more intently, hastened in every way, but took care nevertheless not to give the enemy an opening anywhere, remembering that envy follows glory.
4So the more famous he was, the more anxious he was, and after Jugurtha's ambush he did not plunder with his army scattered; 4when grain or fodder was needed, cohorts with all the cavalry stood guard; 4part of the army he led himself, the rest Marius led. 5But the countryside was laid waste by fire more than by plundering. 6They made their camps in two places not far from each other; 6when force was needed, all were at hand; 7otherwise, so that flight and terror might spread more widely, they operated apart. 8At that time Jugurtha followed along the hills, looked for a time or place for battle where he had heard the enemy would come, spoiled the fodder and the springs of water, of which there was a shortage, showed himself now to Metellus, sometimes to Marius, attacked the rear of the column and at once went back into the hills, threatened now some, afterwards others, neither offering battle nor allowing rest, but only keeping the enemy from his purpose.