ad now formed
a junction at Algidum. But if he had immediately committed the result to
fortune, I know not but that, such were the feelings both of the Romans
and of their enemies since the unfavourable auspices of the decemvirs,
the contest would have stood them in a heavy loss. Having pitched his
camp at the distance of a mile from the enemy, he kept his men quiet.
The enemy filled the space lying between the two camps with their army
in order of battle, and not a single Roman made them any answer when
they challenged them to battle. At length, wearied from standing and
from waiting in vain for a contest, the AEquans and Volscians,
considering that the victory was in a manner conceded to them, go off,
some to the Hernicians, some to the Latins, to commit depredations.
There was left in the camp rather a garrison for its defence than
sufficient force for a contest. When the consul perceived this, he
retorted the terror previously occasioned to his men, and drawing up his
troops in order of battle, he now in his turn provokes the enemy to
fight. When they, from a feeling of the absence of their forces,
declined battle, the courage of the Romans immediately increased, and
they considered as vanquished those who stood panic-stricken within
their rampart. After having stood for the entire day prepared for the
contest, they retired at night. And the Romans, now full of hope, set
about refreshing themselves. The enemy, in by no means equal spirits,
being now in trepidation, despatch messengers in every direction to call
back the plundering parties. Those in the nearest places return thence;
those who were farther off were not found. When the day dawned, the
Romans leave the camp, determining on assaulting the rampart unless an
opportunity of fighting were afforded; and when the day was now far
advanced, and no movement was made by the enemy, the consul orders them
to advance; and the troops being put in motion, the AEquans and the
Volscians became indignant, that victorious armies were to be defended
by a rampart rather than by valour and arms. Wherefore they also
earnestly demanded the signal for battle from their generals, and
received it. And now half of them had got out of the gates, and the
others in succession were observing order, marching down each to his own
post, when the Roman consul, before the enemy's line could be drawn up,
supported by their entire strength, advanced on them; and having
attacked them before the