The cavalcade drove on during the night, finding, however, the hasty preparations which had been made inadequate for the occasion.

The torches went out, the guides lost their way, and the future conqueror of the world wandered about bewildered and lost, until, just after break of day, the party met with a peasant who undertook to guide them.

Under his direction they made their way to the main road again, and advanced then without further difficulty to the banks of the river, where they found that portion of the army which had been sent forward encamped, and awaiting their arrival.
[Illustration: CROSSING THE RUBICON] [Sidenote: Caesar at the Rubicon.] [Sidenote: His hesitation at the river.] Caesar stood for some time upon the banks of the stream, musing upon the greatness of the undertaking in which simply passing across it would involve him.

His officers stood by his side.

"We can retreat _now_" said he, "but once across that river and we must go on." He paused for some time, conscious of the vast importance of the decision, though he thought only, doubtless, of its consequences to himself.