e
enemy, there is an end of the empire. Follow my spear as your standard.
Show to the Romans and Volscians, that no cavalry are equal to you as
cavalry, nor infantry to you as infantry." When this exhortation was
approved by a loud shout, he advances, holding his spear aloft. Wherever
they go, they open a passage for themselves; putting forward their
targets they force on to the place where they saw the distress of their
friends greatest. The fight is restored in every part, as far as their
onset reached; nor was there a doubt but that if so few could,
accomplish every thing at the same time, the enemy would have turned
their backs.

39. And when they could now be withstood in no part, the Volscian
commander gives a signal, that an opening should be made for the
targeteers, the enemy's new cohort; until carried away by their
impetuosity they should be cut off from their own party. When this was
done, the horsemen were intercepted; nor were they able to force their
way in the same direction as that through which they had passed; the
enemy being thickest in that part through which they had made their way;
and the consul and Roman legions, when they could no where see that
party which had lately been a protection to the entire army, lest the
enemy should cut down so many men of distinguished valour by cutting
them off, push forward at all hazards. The Volscians, forming two
fronts, sustained the attack of the consul and the legions on the one
hand, with the other front pressed on Tempanius and the horsemen: and
when they after repeated attempts were unable to force their way to
their own party, they took possession of an eminence, and defended
themselves by forming a circle, not without taking vengeance on their
enemies. Nor was there an end of the battle before night. The consul
also, never relaxing his efforts as long as any light remained, kept the
enemy employed. The night at length separated them undecided as to
victory; and such a panic seized both camps, from their uncertainty as
to the issue, that, leaving behind their wounded and a great part of the
baggage, both armies, as if vanquished, betook themselves to the
adjoining mountains. The eminence, however, continued to be besieged
till beyond midnight; but when word was brought to the besiegers that
the camp was deserted, supposing that their own party had been defeated,
they too fled, each whithersoever his fears carried him in the dark.
Tempanius, through fear