His design was, to turn his forces to that side to which fortune should give success.

At first the Romans who stood nearest were astonished, when they perceived their flanks were uncovered by the departure of their allies; then a horseman in full gallop announces to the king that the Albans were moving off.

Tullus, in this perilous juncture, vowed twelve Salii, and temples to Paleness and Panic.

Rebuking the horseman in a loud voice, so that the enemy might hear him, he orders him to return to the fight, "that there was no occasion for alarm; that by his order the Alban army was marching round to fall on the unprotected rear of the Fidenates." He likewise commands him to order the cavalry to raise their spears aloft; this expedient intercepted from a great part of the Roman infantry the view of the Alban army retreating.

Those who saw it, believing what they had heard the king say, fought with the greater ardour.