His army endured, in the depth of winter, great exposures and fatigues, and they had to encounter a large hostile force under the charge of Cato.

They were, however, successful in every undertaking.

Cato retreated at last to the city of Utica, where he shut himself up with the remains of his army; but finding, at length, when Caesar drew near, that there was no hope or possibility of making good his defense, and as his stern and indomitable spirit could not endure the thought of submission to one whom he considered as an enemy to his country and a traitor he resolved upon a very effectual mode of escaping from his conqueror's power.
[Sidenote: He stabs himself.] [Sidenote: Death of Cato.] He feigned to abandon all hope of defending the city, and began to make arrangements to facilitate the escape of his soldiers over the sea.

He collected the vessels in the harbor, and allowed all to embark who were willing to take the risks of the stormy water.

He took, apparently, great interest in the embarkations, and, when evening came on, he sent repeatedly down to the sea-side to inquire about the state of the wind and the progress of the operations.