***
The stakes that the sappers had pushed into the earth behind the long grass, and the concealed holes they'd dug to catch and break the horses' legs, had done their work; the first rash impetus of the enemy's onrush had been broken, and those who hadn't fallen were isolated, a mere handful of riders whose speed had carried them out into the empty plain, while those backed up behind were confused, circling aimlessly like fallen trees in the rapids of a flooding river.
But now the survivors had had time to gather their wits, and the forerunners had pulled up; Veii's forces began to push forwards again, gaining on the Romans.
"They'll need their backplates," Mamarke muttered.
But one of the back markers had seen the attack, and now the pipers had fallen silent, and the men were standing still; and then, in a single great movement like grain rippling in the wind, they were turning to face the enemy, bringing up their shields, raising their spears, and moving forwards (slowly at first, breaking into almost a run as they closed the gap), a breakwater against which the waves of attackers scattered and fell.