From all that has just been said, the following facts appear to us to be established in regard to the first expedition. Cæsar, after causing all his flotilla to go out of the port the day before, started in the night between the 24th and 25th of August, towards midnight, from the coast of Boulogne, and arrived opposite Dover towards six o’clock in the morning. He remained at anchor until half-past three in the afternoon, and then, having wind and tide in his favour, he moved a distance of seven miles and arrived near Deal, probably between Deal and Walmer Castle, at half-past four. As in the month of August twilight lasts till after half-past seven, and its effect may be prolonged by the moon, which at that hour was in the middle of the heaven, Cæsar had still four hours left for landing, driving back the Britons, and establishing himself on the British soil. As the sea began to ebb towards half-past five, this explains the anecdote of Cæsius Scæva told by Valerius Maximus; for, towards seven o’clock, the rocks called the _Malms_ might be left uncovered by the ebb of the tide. After four entire days, reckoned from the moment of landing, that is, on the 30th of August, the tempest arose, and full moon occurred in the following night. This first expedition, which Cæsar had undertaken too late in the season, and with too few troops, could not lead to great results. He himself declares that he only sought to make an appearance in Britain. In fact, he did not remove from the coast, and he left the island towards the 17th of September, having remained there only twenty-three days.[386] [Sidenote: _Résumé_ of the Dates of the Campaign of 699.] IX. We recapitulate as follows the probable dates of the campaign of 699:-- Cæsar crosses the mountains _earlier than usual_. April 10. His arrival at the army between the Loire and the Seine. April 22. Abode with the army, and informations. From April 22 to May 10. March to between the Meuse and the Rhine From May 11 to May 28. Victory over the Usipetes and Tencteri June 4. Arrival at Bonn for the passage of the Rhine June 11. Construction of the bridge of piles (10 days) From June 12 to June 21. The campaign beyond the Rhine (18 days) From June 22 to July 9. March from Bonn to Boulogne, From July 11 to July 28. Preparations for the expedition to Britain From July 28 to August 24. Departure. Night between Aug. 24 and Aug. 25. Landing. August 25. The tempest. August 30. Duration of the abode in Britain (18 days). From August 25 to Sept. 12. Return to Gaul. Sept. 12. Autumnal equinox. Sept. 26. CHAPTER VIII (Year of Rome 700.)