both bodies there
were such exhortations as the juncture itself required; that "they
should quicken their pace; that there was need of expedition, that they
might reach the enemy by night; that the consul and the Romans were
besieged; that they had been shut up now three days: that it was
uncertain what each day or night might bring with it; that the issue of
the most important affairs often depended on a moment of time." They, to
please their leaders, exclaimed among themselves, "Standard-bearer,
hasten on; follow, soldier." At midnight they reach Algidum: and, as
soon as they perceived that they were near the enemy, they halted.

28. There the dictator, having rode about, and having observed, as far
as could be ascertained by night, what the situation of the camp was,
and what its form, commanded the tribunes of the soldiers to order the
baggage to be thrown into one place, and that the soldiers with their
arms and palisades should return to their ranks. What he commanded was
executed. Then, with the regularity which they had observed on the
march, he draws the entire army in a long column around the enemies'
camp, and directs that, when the signal was given, they should all raise
a shout; and that on the shout being raised, each man should throw up a
trench before his post, and fix his palisade. The orders being issued,
the signal followed: the soldiers perform what they were commanded; the
shout resounds around the enemy: it then passes beyond the camp of the
enemy, and reaches the consul's camp: it occasions panic in one place,
great joy in another. The Romans, observing to each other with
exultation, "that this was the shout of their countrymen, and that aid
was at hand," from their watch-guards and out-posts intimidate the enemy
on their part. The consul says, that there must be no delay: "that by
that shout not only their arrival was intimated, but that proceedings
were already commenced by their friends; and that it would be a wonder
if the enemies' camp were not attacked on the outside." He therefore
orders his men to take up arms and follow him. The battle was commenced
by the legions during the night: they give notice to the dictator by a
shout, that on that side also the action was commenced. The AEquans were
now preparing to prevent the works from being brought around them,[131]
when, the battle being commenced by the enemy from within, turning their
attention from those employed on the fortifications to t