Meanwhile their infantry overtook the cavalry; and now the Samnites pursued close with their entire force.

The dictator then, finding that he could no longer go forward without great inconvenience, ordered the spot where he stood to be measured out for a camp.

But it was impossible, while the enemy's horse were spread about on every side, that palisades could be brought, and the work be begun: seeing it, therefore, impracticable, either to march forward or to settle himself there, he drew up his troops for battle, removing the baggage out of the line.

The enemy likewise formed their line opposite to his; fully equal both in spirit and in strength.
Their courage was chiefly improved from not knowing that the motive of the Romans' retreat was the incommodiousness of the ground, so that they imagined themselves objects of terror, and supposed that they were pursuing men who fled through fear.

This kept the balance of the fight equal for a considerable time; though, of late, it had been unusual with the Samnites to stand even the shout of a Roman army.