The army halted an hour before noon and the men fell out and set down their packs before seeking whatever shade they could find. Those without had to make do with shelters made from their cloaks propped up on the end of their javelins. The men rested through the hottest part of the day while the ground around them baked.

Cato and his officers were resting in the shade of a plantation of date palms when a lone cavalryman came galloping down the road into the column, leaving a fine haze of dust in his wake. The few soldiers still on the road backed away and then watched him briefly, wondering what his hurry could signify. The rider reined in and slipped off the back of his horse and ran up to the optio in command of the headquarters guard to make his report. The optio waved him through and a moment later he stood stiffly in front of Cato, chest heaving from his exertions.

‘Beg to report, sir, the Nubian army has been sighted.’

The other officers stirred and rose to their feet as Cato asked, ‘Where?’

The cavalryman quickly estimated. ‘Just over eight miles from here, sir.’

‘Are they on the march?’

‘Yes, sir. The Nubians are advancing towards us.’

‘Eight miles?’ Macro muttered. ‘Close enough if you intend to give battle today, sir.’

‘Not today.’ Cato looked round at the landscape. A short distance beyond the date palms stretched an expanse of arable land, less than a mile in width from the river to a line of barren hills stretching off into the desert. He pointed it out to Macro and the others. ‘That is where we’ll make our stand. The ground is pliable enough to make a marching camp. Macro, give the orders at once. I want our men behind field defences before the Nubians arrive.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Macro saluted and trotted off to find the senior surveyor and his assistants. Shortly after, they galloped off, trailing a string of mules laden with marking posts and surveying kit.

Cato watched them briefly and then turned to his staff officers. ‘Get the men back on their feet. I want them ready to make camp the moment Macro’s men have marked the perimeter.’