But Camillus did not mean to wait until their allies joined them. He determined at once to set fire to the wooden barricade that the Volscians had built around their camp. Ordering part of his force to attack the camp on one side, the Dictator withdrew the rest of the army to that side of the camp from which the wind blew. He then bade the soldiers fling lighted torches in among the wooden defences. The flames, blown by the wind, quickly spread from stake to stake until they reached the camp itself. There was no water at hand to quench the fire, and the Volscians were soon driven from their tents, to find themselves in the hands of the Romans, who cut them down without mercy. Camillus then ordered the flames to be put out, that the soldiers might pillage what was still unconsumed by the fire. Leaving his son to guard the prisoners, the Dictator was soon marching to Sutrium, which town was besieged by the Etruscans. But before Camillus reached the city, he met a pitiful band of men, women and children, who had already been banished from the town by the victorious enemy. Their homes were plundered, their treasures were in the enemy’s hands. With nothing left, save only the clothes they wore, they were wandering through the country in search of shelter. Camillus was grieved for the misery of these poor folk. When he saw that his soldiers also pitied them, he determined still to go to the city, that he might wrest it once again from the Etruscans, and restore the Sutrians to their homes. He foresaw that the victorious soldiers would be feasting, that the gates would be unguarded. And so it was. Camillus had no difficulty in seizing the gates and manning the walls of Sutrium. Then he ordered his soldiers to fall upon the merrymakers, who were celebrating their victory with song and feast. Many of the Etruscans surrendered, while others waited like cowards to be slain. Sutrium was thus taken twice in one day. CHAPTER XXXIX THE BATTLE ON THE BANKS OF THE ANIO The battle on the banks of the Anio took place when Camillus was no longer young, and when he was attacked with illness. Yet the Senate, anxious to have his help, would not listen as he pleaded that he was unable for the duties of a tribune. But when war broke out with the Volscians and the Prænestines, it sent another tribune with Camillus, to lead the army, so that the old man’s strength might be spared. Lucius Furius was the name of the tribune who accompanied Camillus. The two tribunes encamped near the enemy, Camillus hoping to avoid battle until he was stronger. But Lucius wished to win glory on the field, and was impatient to fight. The old warrior, too generous to thwart the young tribune, agreed that he should lead the army to the field; yet he feared that the rashness of Lucius might lead to defeat. Owing to his feeble health, Camillus himself stayed in the camp, with only a small company of soldiers. But he could see all that was happening on the battlefield.