1At the same time Jugurtha, having lost his friends, most of whom he had himself put to death, while the rest had fled out of fear, some to the Romans, others to King Bocchus, since the war could not be waged without helpers and he thought it dangerous to test the loyalty of new men when the old had been so treacherous, wavered in doubt and uncertainty. 1No plan, no course of action, no man satisfied him: he changed his routes and his officers from day to day; 1now he advanced against the enemy, now into the wilderness; 1often he put his hope in flight, and a little later in arms; 1he doubted whether he should trust his countrymen's courage or their loyalty less: thus, wherever he turned, things went against him.
2But in the midst of these delays Metellus suddenly appeared with his army. 2The Numidians were made ready and drawn up by Jugurtha as well as time allowed, and then battle was joined. 3In the part of the fight where the king was present, there was a struggle for some time; all his other soldiers were routed and put to flight at the first encounter. 3The Romans took a considerable number of standards and arms, but few of the enemy; 3for in almost all battles their feet protect the Numidians more than their arms.