ght. All the measures which any other
prudent and active general could order and execute at such a juncture,
he orders and executes with regularity; that was an extraordinary
specimen of judgment and intrepidity, and one deserving of no ordinary
praise, that he despatched Marcus Geganius with some chosen troops to
attack the enemy's camp, whence it had been ascertained that they had
departed with the greater part of their troops. When he fell on these
men, wholly intent on the result of the danger of their friends, and
incautious with respect to themselves, the watches and advanced guards
being even neglected, he took their camp almost before the enemy were
perfectly sure that it was attacked. Then when the signal given with
smoke, as had been agreed on, was perceived by the dictator, he
exclaims that the enemy's camp was taken, and orders it to be announced
in every direction.

28. And now day was appearing, and every thing lay open to view; and
Fabius had made an attack with his cavalry, and the consul had sallied
from the camp on the enemy now disconcerted; when the dictator on the
other side, having attacked their reserve and second line, threw his
victorious troops, both horse and foot, in the way of the enemy as they
turned themselves about to the dissonant shouts and the various sudden
assaults. Thus surrounded on every side, they would to a man have
suffered the punishment due to their reassumption of hostilities, had
not Vectius Messius, a Volscian, a man more ennobled by his deeds than
his extraction, upbraiding his men as they were forming a circle, called
out with a loud voice, "Are ye about offering yourselves here to the
weapons of the enemy, undefended, unavenged? why is it then ye have
arms? or why have you undertaken an offensive war, ever turbulent in
peace, and dastardly in war? What hopes have you in standing here? do
you expect that some god will protect you and bear you hence? With the
sword way must be opened. Come on ye, who wish to behold your homes,
your parents, your wives, and your children, follow me in the way in
which you shall see me lead you on. It is not a wall, not a rampart, but
armed men that stand in your way with arms in your hands. In valour you
are equal to them; in necessity, which is the ultimate and most
effective weapon, superior." As he uttered these words and was putting
them into execution, they, renewing the shout and following him, make a
push in that quarter where Postu