Caesar's arrival being known, the chief citizens of Auximum went in a body to Attius Varus, and told him: " That it did not belong to them to determine on which side justice lay; but that neither they, nor the other municipal towns, could endure to see their gates shut against Caesar, who by his great actions had deserved so well of the commonwealth: that therefore he would do well to consult his own safety and reputation." Attius, moved by this speech, drew off his garrison and fled. But some of Caesar's first ranks pursuing him, obliged him to stop; and a battle ensuing, he was deserted by his men. Some of the troops returned home; the rest went over to Caesar, and brought along with them L. Pupius, first centurion of the legion, who had formerly held the same rank in Pompey's army. Caesar commended Attius's soldiers: dismissed Papius: returned thanks to the inhabitants of Auximum; and promised to retain always a grateful remembrance of their attachment.