Sertorius (19.6-20.1)

In the morning, moreover, he armed his troops and came out for battle; then, learning that Metellus was near, he broke up his array and decamped, saying: But as for this boy, if that old woman had not come up, I should have given him a sound beating and sent him back to Rome.

He was now greatly disheartened because that doe of his[*] was nowhere to be found; for he was thus deprived of a wonderful contrivance for influencing the Barbarians, who at this time particularly stood in need of encouragement. Soon, however, some men who were roaming about at night on other errands came upon the doe, recognized her by her colour, and caught her.