11.  But they soon threw off the mask of moderation, and, regardless of the approbation of the senate or the people, resolved to continue, against all order, in the decemvirate. 12.  A conduct so tyrannical produced discontents, and these were as sure to produce fresh acts of tyranny.  The city was become almost a desert, with respect to all who had any thing to lose, and the rapacity of the decemvirs was then only discontinued when they wanted fresh subjects to exercise it upon. 13.  In this state of slavery, proscription, and mutual distrust, not one citizen was found to strike for his country’s freedom; these tyrants continued to rule without controul, being constantly guarded, not by the lictors alone, but by a numerous crowd of dependents, clients, and even patricians, whom their vices had confederated round them.

14.  In this gloomy situation of the state, the AE’qui and Vol’sci, those constant enemies of the Romans, renewed their incursions, and, resolving to profit by the intestine divisions of the people, advanced within about ten miles of Rome.

15.  The decemviri, being in possession of all the military as well as of the civil power, divided their army into three parts; whereof one continued with Ap’pius in the city, to keep it in awe; the other two were commanded by his colleagues, and were led, one against the AE’qui, and the other against the Vol’sci. 16.  The Roman soldiers had now adopted a method of punishing the generals whom they disliked, by suffering themselves to be vanquished in the field.  They put it in practice upon this occasion, and shamefully abandoned their camp upon the approach of the enemy, 17.  Never was victorious news more joyfully received at Rome, than the tidings of this defeat; the generals, as is always the case, were blamed for the treachery of their men; some demanded that they should be deposed, others cried out for a dictator to lead the troops to conquest. 18.  Among the rest, old Sic’cius Denta’tus, the tribune, spoke his sentiments with his usual openness; and, treating the generals with contempt, pointed out the faults of their discipline in the camp, and their conduct in the field. 19.  Ap’pius, in the mean time, was not remiss in observing the dispositions of the people.  Denta’tus, in particular, was marked out for vengeance; and, under pretence of doing him particular honour, he was appointed legate, and put at the head of the supplies which were sent from Rome, to reinforce the army. 20.  The office of legate was held sacred among the Romans, as in it was united the authority of a general, with the reverence due to the priesthood. 21.  Denta’tus, no way suspecting the design, went to the camp with alacrity, where he was received with all the external marks of respect.  But the generals soon found means of indulging their desire of revenge. 22.  He was appointed at the head of a hundred men to go and examine a more commodious place for encampment, as he had very candidly assured