us, as he was hastening back to Samnium, by
forced marches, because the term for which Fabius and Decius had been
continued in command was nearly expired, heard of this army of
Samnites, and of the mischief which they had done in Campania;
determining, therefore, to afford protection to the allies, he altered
his route towards that quarter. When he arrived in the district of
Gales, he found marks of their recent ravages; and the people of Gales
informed him that the enemy carried with them such a quantity of
spoil, that they could scarcely observe any order in their march: and
that the commanders then directed publicly that the troops should go
immediately to Samnium, and having deposited the booty there, that
they should return to the business of the expedition, as they must not
commit to the hazard of an engagement an army so heavily laden.
Notwithstanding that this account carried every appearance of truth,
he yet thought it necessary to obtain more certain information;
accordingly he despatched some horsemen, to seize on some of the
straggling marauders; from these he learned, on inquiry, that the
enemy lay at the river Vulturnus; that they intended to remove thence
at the third watch; and that their route was towards Samnium. On
receiving this intelligence, which could be depended upon, he set out,
and sat down at such a distance from the enemy, that his approach
could not be discovered by his being too near them, and, at the same
time, that he might surprise them, as they should be coming out of
their camp. A long time before day, he drew nigh to their post, and
sent persons, who understood the Oscan language, to discover how they
were employed: these, mixing with the enemy, which they could easily
do during the confusion in the night, found that the standards had
gone out thinly attended; that the booty, and those appointed to guard
it, were then setting out, a contemptible train; each busied about his
own affairs, without any concert with the rest, or much regard to
orders. This was judged the fittest time for the attack, and daylight
was now approaching; he gave orders to sound the charge, and fell on
the enemy as they were marching out. The Samnites being embarrassed
with the spoil, and very few armed, some quickened their pace, and
drove the prey before them; others halted, deliberating whether it
would be safer to advance, or to return again to the camp; and while
they hesitated, they were overtaken and cut o