he enemy cease
to mock at them. This being done, the lieutenants and the tribunes came
together without any bidding, for the Consuls called no council, as
knowing that there was no device or knowledge that could avail them.
The soldiers also ran together to the Consuls' tent, asking from their
leaders such help as the gods themselves could scarce have given. And
while they doubted what might be done darkness came upon them. Some
said, "Let us make our way through these things that bar the way," and
others, "Why should mountains and wood hinder us while we have swords in
our hands? Suffer us only to come at the enemy, whom we have conquered
now for thirty years; there is no place whereon the Romans cannot
prevail over the Samnites, how many soever they may be."

But others said, "Whither shall we go? and by what way? Shall we move
these mountains from their place? for while they yet hang over us how
can we come at our enemies? Truly we are given into their hands bound
hand and foot, and they will conquer us without so much as moving from
their place." Thus did they talk one to the other; and that night they
thought neither of food nor of sleep.

The Samnites also doubted much what they should best do now that their
counsels had so greatly prospered. With one consent, therefore, they
wrote letters to Herennius Pontius, father to Pontius their general,
seeking for his advice. Now Pontius was a very old man, and had long
since withdrawn himself not from war only, but also from all affairs of
state. Nevertheless, though his body was weak, the power of his mind was
not abated. When he heard that the Roman army had been shut in between
the Passes of Caudium, and that his son would fain have his counsel,
he said, "Let the men go, and harm them not." And when, despising this
counsel, they sent the messenger again, asking the same question, he
answered, "Slay them all; spare not one." When they heard these two
answers, being so different the one from the other, it seemed to Pontius
that his father's mind had failed him, even as his body had failed him.
Nevertheless, when all would have it that the old man himself should be
sent for, he yielded to their desire. And Pontius the elder agreeing was
carried to the camp, they say, in a waggon; and when he was come they
brought him into the council. There he spoke, changing indeed nothing of
that which he had said, but adding his reasons. "My first counsel I yet
judge to be the best, f