the appellation by which he is
more frequently known, was very desirous to persevere in the Fabian
policy till the ten days had expired, after which he knew that
Hannibal must be reduced to extreme distress, and might have to
surrender at once to save his army from actual famine. In fact, it was
said that the troops were on such short allowance as to produce great
discontent, and that a large body of Spaniards were preparing to
desert and go over together to the Roman camp.

Things were in this state, when, one day, Hannibal sent out a party
from his camp to procure food, and AEmilius, who happened to hold the
command that day, sent out a strong force to intercept them. He was
successful. The Carthaginian detachment was routed. Nearly two
thousand men were killed, and the rest fled, by any roads they could
find, back to Hannibal's camp. Varro was very eager to follow them
there, but AEmilius ordered his men to halt. He was afraid of some
trick or treachery on the part of Hannibal, and was disposed to be
satisfied with the victory he had already won.

This little success, however, only inflamed Varro's ardor for a
battle, and produced a general enthusiasm in the Roman army; and, a
day or two afterward, a circumstance occurred which raised this
excitement to the highest pitch. Some reconnoiterers, who had been
stationed within sight of Hannibal's camp to watch the motions and
indications there, sent in word to the consuls that the Carthaginian
guards around their encampment had all suddenly disappeared, and that
a very extraordinary and unusual silence reigned within. Parties of
the Roman soldiers went up gradually and cautiously to the
Carthaginian lines, and soon found that the camp was deserted, though
the fires were still burning and the tents remained. This
intelligence, of course, put the whole Roman army into a fever of
excitement and agitation. They crowded around the consuls' pavilions,
and clamorously insisted on being led on to take possession of the
camp, and to pursue the enemy. "He has fled," they said, "and with
such precipitation that he has left the tents standing and his fires
still burning. Lead us on in pursuit of him."

Varro was as much excited as the rest. He was eager for action.
AEmilius hesitated. He made particular inquiries. He said they ought
to proceed with caution. Finally, he called up a certain prudent and
sagacious officer, named Statilius, and ordered him to take a small
body of hors