The pressure of shield against shield never abated.

Woe to the man who lost footing and fell; his life was trampled out in a twinkling! The battle-cries grew fewer and fewer; shouting requires breath; breath, energy; and every scruple of energy was needed in pushing on those shields.

There were few pila left now.

The short swords dashed upon the armour, but in the press even to swing a blade was difficult.

More and more intense grew the strain; Caesarians gave ground here and then regained it.