And now they had scarcely got a breathing time from their trouble
when a new war came upon them;a and the Aequians, and the Tuscans
besieged Sutrium, their confederate city. Camillus, being the
third time chosen dictator, armed not only those under, but also
those over, the age of service; and taking a large circuit around
the mountain Maecius, undiscovered by the enemy, lodged his army
on their rear, and then by many fires gave notice of his arrival.
The besieged, encouraged by this, prepared to sally forth and join
battle; but the Latins and Volscians, fearing this exposure to any
enemy on both sides, drew themselves within their works, and
fortified their camp with a strong palisade of trees on every
side, resolving to wait for more supplies from home, and
expecting, also, the assistance of the Tuscans, their confederate.
Camillus, detecting their object, and fearing to be reduced to the
same position to which he had brought them, namely, to be besieged
himself, resolved to lose no time; and finding their rampart was
all of timber, and observing that a strong wind constantly at sun-
rising blew off from the mountains, after having prepared a
quantity of combustibles, about break of day he drew forth his
forces, commanding a part with their missiles to assault the enemy
with noise and shouting on the other quarter, whilst he, with
those that were to fling in the fire, went to that side of the
enemy's camp to which the wind usually blew, and there waited his
opportunity.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186