The consul, when all was silence in the camp, and he could now no where see even the few who at break of day had walked up and down, sent two horsemen in advance to reconnoitre; and after he had ascertained that all was safe enough, ordered his troops to march in; and after staying there only while his men distributed themselves for plunder, sounded a retreat and led back his forces long before night.

The next day he set out as soon as it was light, and following the rumour and the track of the enemy by forced marches, came up with them not far from Venusia.

Here also an irregular battle took place, in which two thousand of the Carthaginians were slain.

The Carthaginian quitting this place made for Metapontum, marching by night and over mountainous districts in order to avoid a battle.

Thence Hanno, who commanded the garrison of that place, was sent into Bruttium with a small party to raise a fresh army.