79 



And yet again, such a route was essentially Roman — straight 

 ahead. It might be said that the nature of the Tebay valley was 

 such as would deter Agricola from choosing this route ; but, after 

 all, it would be a comparatively easy passage, if such precautions 

 were taken as might be necessary to prevent a flank movement. 

 The character of the hill sides is such as would be of equal advan- 

 tage to Agricola in repelling an attack, as it was to the Britons in 

 making one. Even granted that such a road was a difficult one, 

 and that an advance would have to be made with extreme caution, 

 we must remember that this was one of iVgricola's characteristics ; 

 nor was it a caution arising from timidity, for to his caution was 

 added a clear insight into every difficulty, and an intrepidity in 

 action which would carry him through with success. Nor would 

 he refuse this road and choose the coast road merely on account 

 of its difficulty. When the terrible Khyber Pass, defended by 

 arms of precision, could be so easily forced, surely such a paltry 

 one as the Tebay gorge sinks into insignificance. 



Nor would the pass be favourable to the Britons. They could 

 not attack in force, whilst their long pointless swords, and their 

 chariots, would be of little use in so confined a space. 



That the Romans did use the pass in later, and probably more 

 troublous times, is shown by the military road passing through it ; 

 and that its possession was looked upon as necessary, is shown by 

 their having placed a strong camp at Borrow Bridge, almost within 

 the jaws of the pass — a fact that goes fiir to prove that there was 

 no difficulty other than ordinary in keeping the communication 

 open. 



Granted then that his advance was made by the Lune valley — 

 when at Tebay, being within measurable distance of a known part 

 of the country, his scouts would be able to penetrate to Brough 

 and to Kirkbythore, at both of which places he would be on the 

 British trackway before mentioned, whilst at Penrith he would be 

 able to strike right into the heart of the country. 



From Kirkbythore, the exact track of his advance to the isthmus 

 between Tyne and Solway is doubtful. He might have gone by 

 what is now the Maiden Way, which passed Kirkbythore, running 



