[533] _Rationes trahere_ implies slow and careful deliberation, as in chaps. 34 and 93. [534] _Die_ for _diei_. See page 115, note 3 [note 289]. [535] 'The night would not he an obstacle to them' (in their pursuit). _Nullo_ obsolete for _nulli_. See Zumpt, S 140. [536] _Simul cognovit_--_et hostes aderant_, 'he at once learned--and the enemy was there;' that is, between the receiving of the information and the actual attack of the enemy there was no interval. _Sarcinas colligere_; the baggage was laid down before an engagement, and put together in a heap, as in Caes. _Bell_. _Gall_. vii. 18. [537] _Signum_ here is 'the watchword,' which is given out by the general, and is communicated among the soldiers by one man telling another. Sometimes _signum_ is the signal given by a _cornu_ or _tuba_. To make the former known throughout an army required some time, but not so the latter. _Signa_ afterwards are the standards of the maniples, cohorts, and legions. [538] _Latrocinium_, 'a predatory attack,' as opposed to a regular battle. [539] _Obtruncare_ in opposition to _caedere_ (cut down) signifies 'to mutilate by cutting off a limb or limbs.' The word _multos_ is chosen here only for variety's sake, instead of _alios_. [540] The words _veteres novique_ express a whole sentence: 'as old and new soldiers were united in the several divisions (maniples and cohorts) of the army;' and it is to this meaning that _ob ea_ (for this reason) refers. The scattered Romans, as old and new soldiers were everywhere mixed together, profited by the experience of the old ones, and formed dense circles (we should say _squares_), which was, in fact, the only safe means of warding off the attack of a superior enemy.