Chapter 29

In the beginning of the following summer Agricola met with a stroke of affliction, by the loss of a son about a year old. He did not upon this occasion affect, like many others, the character of a man superior to the feelings of nature; nor yet did he suffer his grief to sink him down into unbecoming weakness. In the opening of the campaign, he despatched his fleet, with orders to annoy the coast with frequent descents in different places. and spread a general alarm. He put himself, in the meantime, at the head of his army equipped for expedition, and, taking with him a select band of the bravest Britons, of known and approved fidelity, he advanced as far as the Grampian hills, where the enemy was already posted in force. Undismayed by their former defeat, the Barbarians expected no other issue than a total overthrow, or a brave revenge. By treaties of alliance, and by deputations to the several cantons, they had drawn together the strength of their nation. Upwards of thirty thousand men appeared in arms, and their force was increasing every day. Among the chieftains distinguished by their birth and valour, the most renowned was Galgacus. The multitude gathered around him, eager for action, and burning with uncommon ardour.