Next day the Romans take possession of the deserted camp of the enemy, whither all the Campanians flocked to congratulate them.
34.

But this joy was well nigh alloyed by a great loss sustained in Samnium.

For the consul Cornelius, having set out from Saticula, incautiously led his army into a mountainous tract, passable through a deep defile, and beset on all sides by the enemy; nor did he perceive the enemy stationed over his head, until a retreat could no longer be made with safety.

Whilst the Samnites delayed only till he should bring down his entire army into the valley; Publius Decius, a tribune of the soldiers, espies in the tract a hill higher than the rest, hanging over the enemies' camp, rather steep to be ascended by an encumbered army, not difficult for such as were lightly armed.

He says therefore to the consul, greatly alarmed in mind, "Aulus Cornelius, do you perceive that elevated point above the enemy?
That is the bulwark of our hope and safety, if we briskly gain possession of it, which the Samnites in their blindness have given up.