An armed body of young men being sent in, all the land is laid waste between the city and Fidenae.

Then turning to the left, because the Tiber confined them on the right, they continue their depredations to the great consternation of the peasantry.

The sudden alarm reaching the city from the country, served as the first announcement.

Romulus, roused at this circumstance, (for a war so near home could not admit of delay,) leads out his army: he pitches his camp a mile from Fidenae.

Having left there a small garrison, marching out with all his forces, he commanded a party of his soldiers to lie in ambush in a place [20]hidden by thick bushes which were planted around.