ct themselves, and will not be guided by
those who do. We will not belong to this last class; and since it is
proved that we are not entitled to rank with the first, let us join
the second. We will march to the camp of Fabius, and join our camp
with his, as before. We owe to him, and also to all his portion of the
army, our eternal gratitude for the nobleness of spirit which he
manifested in coming to our deliverance, when he might so justly have
left us to ourselves."

The two legions repaired, accordingly, to the camp of Fabius, and a
complete and permanent reconciliation took place between the two
divisions of the army. Fabius rose very high in the general esteem by
this transaction. The term of his dictatorship, however, expired soon
after this, and as the danger from Hannibal was now less imminent,
the office was not renewed, but consuls were chosen as before.

The character of Fabius has been regarded with the highest admiration
by all mankind. He evinced a very noble spirit in all that he did. One
of his last acts was a very striking proof of this. He had bargained
with Hannibal to pay a certain sum of money as ransom for a number of
prisoners which had fallen into his hands, and whom Hannibal, on the
faith of that promise, had released. Fabius believed that the Romans
would readily ratify the treaty and pay the amount; but they demurred,
being displeased, or pretending to be displeased, because Fabius had
not consulted them before making the arrangement. Fabius, in order to
preserve his own and his country's faith unsullied, sold his farm to
raise the money. He did thus most certainly protect and vindicate his
own honor, but he can hardly be said to have saved that of the people
of Rome.

CHAPTER IX.

THE BATTLE OF CANNAE.

B.C. 215

Interest excited by the battle of Cannae.--Various military
operations.--State of the public mind at Rome.--The plebeians
and patricians.--The consuls AEmilius and Varro.--A new army
raised.--Self-confidence of Varro.--Caution of AEmilius.--Views of
AEmilius.--Counsel of Fabius.--Conversation between Fabius and
AEmilius.--Resolution of AEmilius.--The consuls join the army.--Situation
of Hannibal.--Scarcity of food.--Sufferings of Hannibal's
troops.--Defeat of a foraging party.--Hannibal's pretended abandonment
of his camp.--Mission of Statilius.--The stratagem discovered.--Chagrin
of Hannibal and the Romans.--Apulia.--Hannibal marches into
Apulia.--The Romans follow h