de bello gallico, 4.25

Which, when Caesar learned (it), he ordered the war ships, of which both the type was more unusual to the barbarians and their motion was more fit for the use, to be moved back a little from the transport ships and to be propelled by oars and to be anchored at the open side of the enemy and thence the enemy be driven off and moved back with darts, arrows, artillery; which circumstance was (for) a great use for us. For the barbarians, terrified both by the shape of the ships and by the motion of the oars and by the unaccustomed kind of weaponry, stopped and retreated just a little (lit. drew back foot). And, with our soldiers clumping together, mostly because of the depth of the sea, (this one) who was carrying the eagle of the tenth legion, having beseeched the gods that this matter turn out happily for the legion, said “Jump out soldiers, unless you want to betray the eagle to our enemy: I certainly will have done my duty for the republic and my general.” When he had said this, with great voice he threw himself from the ship and began to carry the eagle among the enemy. Then our companies all together jumped from the ship among themselves lest such a disgrace be admitted. When they had seen these men from the nearby ships likewise having followed they approach the enemy.