32.11
At this
juncture a shepherd was brought to the consul who had been sent by
Charopus, the leading man in Epirus. He said that he had been in the habit of
pasturing his flock in the defile which was then occupied by the king's camp,
and knew every track and turn on the mountains. If the consul cared to send
a party with him he would lead them by a route which was not difficult or
dangerous to a place where they would be over the enemy's head. On
hearing this the consul sent to Charopus to find out whether he thought that
the rustic was to be trusted in a matter of such importance. Charopus sent
back word that he might trust him so far as to keep everything in his own
hands, and not be at the mercy of his guide. Whilst wishing rather than
daring to trust the man, and with mingled feelings of joy and fear, he was so
far swayed by the authority of Charopus as to try the chance which offered.
In order to dispel all suspicion of his intended movement, he kept up
continuously, for two days, attacks upon every part of the enemy's position,
bringing up fresh forces to relieve those who were worn out with fighting. In
the meantime he selected 4000 infantry and 300 cavalry and placed this
picked force in charge of a military tribune with orders to take the cavalry as
far as the ground allowed, and when it became impassable for mounted men
he was to post them somewhere on level ground; the infantry were to follow
the path indicated by the guide. When, as he promised, they reached a
position above the enemy they were to give a signal by smoke and not raise
the battle-shout until the consul had received the signal and could judge that
the battle had begun. The consul ordered them to march by night -it
happened to be moonlight all night -and to take their food and rest in the
daytime. The guide was promised a very large reward if he proved faithful,
he was, however, bound before being handed over to the tribune. After
despatching this force the Roman commander subjected the Macedonian
outposts to more vigorous pressure on all sides.
