The affliction of the father was suspended only by the desire of revenge.
The vigilant Stilicho already prepared to collect the naval and military force of the Western empire; and he had resolved, if the tyrant should be able to wage an equal and doubtful war, to march against him in person.

But as Italy required his presence, and as it might be dangerous to weaken the of the frontier, he judged it more advisable, that Mascezel should attempt this arduous adventure at the head of a chosen body of Gallic veterans, who had lately served exhorted to convince the world that they could subvert, as well as defend the throne of a usurper, consisted of the _Jovian_, the _Herculian_, and the _Augustan_ legions; of the _Nervian_ auxiliaries; of the soldiers who displayed in their banners the symbol of a _lion_, and of the troops which were distinguished by the auspicious names of _Fortunate_, and _Invincible_.
Yet such was the smallness of their establishments, or the difficulty of recruiting, that these _seven_ bands, of high dignity and reputation in the service of Rome, amounted to no more than five thousand effective men.

The fleet of galleys and transports sailed in tempestuous weather from the port of Pisa, in Tuscany, and steered their course to the little island of Capraria; which had borrowed that name from the wild goats, its original inhabitants, whose place was occupied by a new colony of a strange and savage appearance.

"The whole island (says an ingenious traveller of those times) is filled, or rather defiled, by men who fly from the light.

They call themselves _Monks_, or solitaries, because they choose to live alone, without any witnesses of their actions.