The younger tribunes being thus distributed, two
of the elder were assigned to the first legion, three to the
second, two to the third, and three to the fourth; and the
officers of each legion thus assigned, having drawn the tribes by
lot, and being seated according to their divisions at a
convenient distance from each other, the tribe of the first lot
was called, whereupon they that were of it knowing the business,
and being prepared, presently bolted out four of their number, in
the choice whereof such care was taken that they offered none
that was not a citizen, no citizen that was not of the youth, no
youth that was not of some one of the five classes, nor any one
of the five classes that was not expert at his exercises.
Moreover, they used such diligence in matching them for age and
stature, that the officers of the legion, except they happened to
be acquainted with the youth so bolted, were forced to put
themselves upon fortune, while they of the first legion chose
one, they of the second the next, they of the third another and
the fourth youth fell to the last legion; and thus was the
election (the legions and the tribes varying according to their
lots) carried on till the foot were complete.
"The like course with little alteration was taken by the
horse officers till the horse also were complete.
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