Clovis was then only sixteen years
of age. But though he was so young he proved in a very short time
that he could govern as well as older men. He was intelligent and
brave. No one ever knew him to be afraid of anything even when he
was but a child. His father, who was named Childeric (chil'-der-ic),
often took him to wars which the Franks had with neighboring
tribes, and he was very proud of his son's bravery. The young man
was also a bold and skillful horseman. He could tame and ride the
most fiery horse.
When Clovis became king of the Franks a great part of Gaul still
belonged to Rome. This part was then governed by a Roman general,
named Syagrius (sy-ag'-ri-us). Clovis resolved to drive the Romans
out of the country, and he talked over the matter with the head
men of his army.
"My desire," said he, "is that the Franks shall have possession of
every part of this fair land. I shall drive the Romans and their
friends away and make Gaul the empire of the Franks."
II
At this time the Romans had a great army in Gaul. It was encamped
near the city of Soissons (swah-son') and was commanded by Syagrius.
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