eir having bravely surmounted the obstruction both of
gates and walls.

30. The commanders entered Samnium under uncertain auspices; an
informality which pointed, not at the event of war, for that was
prosperous, but at the furious passions and the quarrels which broke out
between the leaders. For Papirius the dictator, returning to Rome in
order to take the auspices anew, in consequence of a caution received
from the aruspex, left strict orders with the master of the horse to
remain in his post, and not to engage in battle during his absence.
After the departure of the dictator, Fabius having discovered by his
scouts that the enemy were in as unguarded a state as if there was not a
single Roman in Samnium, the high-spirited youth, (either conceiving
indignation at the sole authority in every point appearing to be lodged
in the hands of the dictator, or induced by the opportunity of striking
an important blow,) having made the necessary preparations and
dispositions, marched to a place called Imbrinium, and there fought a
battle with the Samnites. His success in the fight was such, that there
was no one circumstance which could have been improved to more
advantage, if the dictator had been present. The leader was not wanting
to the soldiers, nor the soldiers to their leader. The cavalry too,
(finding, after repeated charges, that they could not break the ranks,)
by the advice of Lucius Cominius, a military tribune, pulled off the
bridles from their horses and spurred them on so furiously, that no
power could withstand them; forcing their way through the thickest of
the enemy, they bore down every thing before them; and the infantry
seconding the charge, the whole body was thrown into confusion. Twenty
thousand of the enemy are said to have fallen on that day. I have
authority for saying that there were two battles fought during the
dictator's absence, and two victories obtained; but, according to the
most ancient writers, only this one is found, and in some histories the
whole transaction is omitted. The master of the horse getting possession
of abundance of spoils, in consequence of the great numbers slain,
collected the arms into a huge heap, and burned them; either in
pursuance of a vow to some of the gods, or, if we choose to credit the
authority of Fabius, it was done on this account, that the dictator
might not reap the fruits of his glory, inscribe his name on them, or
carry the spoils in triumph. His letters als