1But Marius, having spent many days and much labour, anxiously turned over in his mind whether to abandon the undertaking, since it was in vain, or to wait for fortune, which he had often enjoyed with success. 2While he was turning these things over, restless, for many days and nights, it happened that a certain Ligurian, a common soldier from the auxiliary cohorts, who had gone out of the camp to fetch water not far from the side of the fort which was turned away from the fighting, noticed snails creeping among the rocks; and as he went after one and then another, and then more, in his eagerness to gather them he gradually climbed out almost to the top of the hill.
3When he saw that the place was deserted, a desire to accomplish what was difficult, as is the way of human nature, came over his mind. 4And by chance in that place a great holm-oak had grown up among the rocks, leaning forward only a little, then bending and growing upwards, as the nature of all growing things carries them. 4Supporting himself now on its branches, now on the jutting rocks, the Ligurian reached the level top of the fort, because all the Numidians were intently attending to the fighting. 5Having examined everything he thought would soon be useful, he returns the same way, not heedlessly, as he had climbed up, but testing and looking around at everything.
6So he goes quickly to Marius, tells him what he has done, urges him to attack the fort from the side where he himself had climbed up, and promises to be the guide of the route and of the danger. 7Marius sent some of those present with the Ligurian to find out about his promises. 7Each of them reported the task as difficult or easy according to his character; 7yet the consul's spirits were raised a little. 8So from the body of trumpeters and horn-blowers he chose five of the swiftest, and with them four centurions to serve as a guard, ordered them all to obey the Ligurian, and appointed the next day for the task.