cum delectis equitibus Metellum sequitur, nocturnis et aviis itineribus ignoratus Romanos palantes repente aggreditur. Eorum plerique inermes cadunt, multi capiuntur, nemo omnium intactus profugit, et Numidae, priusquam ex castris subveniretur, sicuti jussi erant, in proximos colles discedunt. [298] Duration of time is properly expressed by the accusative, but the ablative also is not unfrequently employed. See Zumpt, S 396. [299] _Sunt_ here changes the oratio obiiqua into the oratio recta; according to the grammatical rule, it ought to be _sint_ or _essent_. [300] _Gentium_ is added to increase the expression of uncertainty. See Zumpt, S 434. [301] A bold combination of terms: soldiers who were in the habit of being more concerned about the cattle and the field than about war. Respecting the substantive _cultor_, instead of the participle _colens_, see p. 109, note 5 [note 255]. [302] _Ea gratia_, a concise expression for _ejus (rei) gratia_, 'on this account.' In like manner we find _hac, ea causa_. [303] 'Which could not be carried on otherwise than according to his pleasure;' because, considering the number and condition of his irregular troops, he had it in his power both to attack and to retreat, and thus to draw the Romans hither and thither. [304] _Temere_ signifies that which is done without any lasting effect, without serious consideration, or what is suggested by mere accident or chance. [305] _Sua loca_ are 'convenient' or 'favourable places;' _aliena_, 'inconvenient ;' that is, such as he would not have chosen himself. [306] 'According to circumstances,' as in chap. 39: _ex copia rerum_, 'according to the state of circumstances.'