“Thatisbecausetheywerenothardy，“saidtheSuffet，laughing。“No，matter！ifheisinwantofmoney，satisfyhim！Weshouldalwayslend，andatdifferentratesofinterest，accordingtothewealthofthe，individual。”
　　Thentheservanthastenedtoreadallthathadbeenbroughtinbythe，iron-minesofAnnaba，thecoralfisheries，thepurplefactories，the，farmingofthetaxontheresidentGreeks，theexportofsilverto，Arabia，whereithadtentimesthevalueofgold，andthecapturesof，vessels，deductionofatenthbeingmadeforthetempleofthe，goddess。“EachtimeIdeclaredaquarterless，Master！”Hamilcarwas，reckoningwiththeballs;theyrangbeneathhisfingers。
　　“Enough！Whathaveyoupaid？”
　　“ToStratoniclesofCorinth，andtothreeAlexandrianmerchants，on，theselettersheretheyhavebeenrealised，tenthousandAthenian，drachmas，andtwelveSyriantalentsofgold。Thefoodforthecrews，amountingtotwentyminaeamonthforeachtrireme——“
　　“Iknow！Howmanylost？”
　　“Hereistheaccountonthesesheetsoflead，“saidtheSteward。“As，totheshipscharteredincommon，ithasoftenbeennecessarytothrow，thecargointotheseas，andsotheunequallosseshavebeendivided，amongthepartners。Fortheropeswhichwereborrowedfromthe，arsenals，andwhichitwasimpossibletorestore，theSyssitiaexacted，eighthundredkesitahsbeforetheexpeditiontoUtica。”
　　“Theyagain！”saidHamilcar，hanginghishead;andheremainedfora，timeasifquitecrushedbytheweightofallthehatredsthathe，couldfeeluponhim。“ButIdonotseetheMegaraexpenses？”
　　Abdalonim，turningpale，wenttoanothersetofpigeon-holes，andtook，fromthemsomeplanchettesofsycamorewoodstrunginpacketson，leathernstrings。
　　Hamilcar，curiousaboutthesedomesticdetails，listenedtohimand，grewcalmwiththemonotonyofthetonesinwhichthefigureswere，enumerated。Abdalonimbecameslower。Suddenlyheletthewoodensheets，falltothegroundandthrewhimselfflatonhisfacewithhisarms，stretchedoutinthepositionofacondemnedcriminal。Hamilcarpicked，upthetabletswithoutanyemotion;andhislipspartedandhiseyes，grewlargerwhenheperceivedanexorbitantconsumptionofmeat，fish，birds，wines，andaromatics，withbrokenvases，deadslaves，and，spoiledcarpetssetdownastheexpenseofasingleday。
　　Abdalonim，stillprostrate，toldhimofthefeastoftheBarbarians。
　　HehadnotbeenabletoavoidthecommandoftheAncients。Moreover，Salammbodesiredmoneytobelavishedforthebetterreceptionofthe，soldiers。
　　Athisdaughter’snameHamilcarleapedtohisfeet。Thenwith，compressedlipshecroucheddownuponthecushions，tearingthe，fringeswithhisnails，andpantingwithstaringeyes。
　　“Rise！”saidhe;andhedescended。
　　Abdalonimfollowedhim;hiskneestrembled。Butseizinganironbarhe，beganlikeonedistraughttoloosenthepavingstones。Awoodendisc，sprangupandsoonthereappearedthroughoutthelengthofthepassage，severalofthelargecoversemployedforstoppingupthetrenchesin，whichgrainwaskept。
　　“Yousee，EyeofBaal，“saidtheservant，trembling，“theyhavenot，takeneverythingyet！andtheseareeachfiftycubitsdeepandfilled，uptothebrim！DuringyourvoyageIhadthemdugoutinthearsenals，inthegardens，everywhere！yourhouseisfullofcornasyourheart，isfullofwisdom。”
　　AsmilepassedoverHamilcar’sface。“Itiswell，Abdalonim！”Then，bendingovertohisear：“YouwillhaveitbroughtfromEtruria，Brutium，whenceyouwill，andnomatteratwhatprice！Heapitand，keepit！IalonemustpossessallthecorninCarthage。”
　　Thenwhentheywerealoneattheextremityofthepassage，Abdalonim，withoneofthekeyshangingathisgirdle，openedalarge，quadrangularchamberdividedinthecentrebypillarsofcedar。Gold，silver，andbrasscoinswerearrangedontablesorpackedintoniches，androseashighasthejoistsoftheroofalongthefourwalls。In，thecornerstherewerehugebasketsofhippopotamusskinsupporting，wholerowsofsmallerbags;therewerehillocksformedofheapsof，bulliononthepavement;andhereandthereapilethatwastoohigh，hadgivenwayandlookedlikearuinedcolumn。ThelargeCarthaginian，pieces，representingTanithwithahorsebeneathapalm-tree，mingled，withthosefromthecolonies，whichweremarkedwithabull，star，globe，orcrescent。Thentheremightbeseenpiecesofallvalues，dimensions，andagesarrayedinunequalamounts——fromtheancient，coinsofAssyria，slenderasthenail，totheancientonesofLatium，thickerthanthehand，withthebuttonsofEgina，thetabletsof，Bactriana，andtheshortbarsofLacedaemon;manywerecoveredwith，rust，orhadgrowngreasy，or，havingbeentakeninnetsorfromamong，theruinsofcapturedcities，weregreenwiththewaterorblackened，byfire。TheSuffethadspeedilycalculatedwhetherthesumspresent，correspondedwiththegainsandlosseswhichhadjustbeenreadto，him;andhewasgoingawaywhenheperceivedthreebrassjars，completelyempty。Abdalonimturnedawayhisheadtomarkhishorror，andHamilcar，resigninghimselftoit，saidnothing。
　　Theycrossedotherpassagesandotherhalls，andatlastreacheda，doorwhere，toensureitsbetterprotectionandinaccordancewitha，RomancustomlatelyintroducedintoCarthage，amanwasfastenedby，thewaisttoalongchainletintothewall。Hisbeardandnailshad，growntoanimmoderatelength，andheswayedhimselffromrightto，leftwiththatcontinualoscillationwhichischaracteristicof，captiveanimals。AssoonasherecognisedHamilcarhedartedtowards，him，crying：
　　“Pardon，EyeofBaal！pity！killme！FortenyearsIhavenotseenthe，sun！Inyourfather’sname，pardon！”
　　Hamilcar，withoutansweringhim，clappedhishandsandthreemen，appeared;andallfoursimultaneouslystiffeningtheirarms，drewback，fromitsringstheenormousbarwhichclosedthedoor。Hamilcartooka，torchanddisappearedintothedarkness。
　　Thiswasbelievedtobethefamilyburying-place;butnothingwould，havebeenfoundinitexceptabroadwell。Itwasdugoutmerelyto，bafflerobbers，anditconcealednothing。Hamilcarpassedalongbeside，it;thenstoopingdownhemadeaveryheavymillstoneturnuponits，rollers，andthroughthisapertureenteredanapartmentwhichwas，builtintheshapeofacone。
　　Thewallswerecoveredwithscalesofbrass;andinthecentre，ona，granitepedestal，stoodthestatueofoneoftheKabiricalledAletes，thediscovereroftheminesinCeltiberia。Ontheground，atitsbase，andarrangedintheformofacross，werelargegoldshieldsand，monsterclose-neckedsilvervases，ofextravagantshapeandunfitted，foruse;itwascustomarytocastquantitiesofmetalinthisway，so，thatdilapidationandevenremovalshouldbealmostimpossible。
　　Withhistorchhelitaminer’slampwhichwasfastenedtotheidol’s，cap，andgreen，yellow，blue，violet，wine-coloured，andblood-
　　colouredfiressuddenlyilluminatedthehall。Itwasfilledwithgems，whichwereeitheringoldcalabashesfastenedlikesconcesuponsheets，ofbrass，orwererangedinnativemassesatthefootofthewall。
　　Therewerecallaidesshotawayfromthemountainswithslings，carbunclesformedbytheurineofthelynx，glossopetraewhichhad，fallenfromthemoon，tyanos，diamonds，sandastra，beryls，withthe，threekindsofrubies，thefourkindsofsapphires，andthetwelve，kindsofemeralds。Theygleamedlikesplashesofmilk，blueicicles，andsilverdust，andshedtheirlightinsheets，rays，andstars。
　　Ceraunia，engenderedbythethunder，sparkledbythesideof，chalcedonies，whichareacureforpoison。Thereweretopazesfrom，MountZabarcatoavertterrors，opalsfromBactrianatoprevent，abortions，andhornsofAmmon，whichareplacedunderthebedto，inducedreams。
　　Thefiresfromthestonesandtheflamesfromthelampweremirrored，inthegreatgoldenshields。Hamilcarstoodsmilingwithfoldedarms，andwaslessdelightedbythesightofhisrichesthanbythe，consciousnessoftheirpossession。Theywereinaccessible，exhaustless，infinite。Hisancestorssleepingbeneathhisfeet，transmittedsomethingoftheireternitytohisheart。Hefeltvery，neartothesubterraneandeities。Itwasasthejoyofoneofthe，Kabiri;andthegreatluminousraysstrikinguponhisfacelookedlike，theextremityofaninvisiblenetlinkinghimacrosstheabysseswith，thecentreoftheworld。
　　Athoughtcamewhichmadehimshudder，andplacinghimselfbehindthe，idolhewalkedstraightuptothewall。Thenamongthetattooingson，hisarmhescrutinisedahorizontallinewithtwootherperpendicular，oneswhichinChanaanitishfiguresexpressedthenumberthirteen。Then，hecountedasfarasthethirteenthofthebrassplatesandagain，raisedhisamplesleeve;andwithhisrighthandstretchedoutheread，othermorecomplicatedlinesonhisarm，atthesametimemovinghis，fingersdaintilyaboutlikeoneplayingonalyre。Atlasthestruck，sevenblowswithhisthumb，andanentiresectionofthewallturned，aboutinasingleblock。
　　Itservedtoconcealasortofcellarcontainingmysteriousthings，whichhadnonameandwereofincalculablevalue。Hamilcarwentdown，thethreesteps，tookupallama’sskinwhichwasfloatingonablack，liquidinasilvervat，andthenre-ascended。
　　Abdalonimagainbegantowalkbeforehim。Hestruckthepavementwith，histallcane，thepommelofwhichwasadornedwithbells，andbefore，everyapartmentcriedaloudthenameofHamilcaramideulogiesand，benedictions。
　　Alongthewallsofthecirculargallery，fromwhichthepassages，branchedoff，werepiledlittlebeamsofalgummim，bagsofLawsonia，cakesofLemnos-earth，andtortoisecarapacesfilledwithpearls。The，Suffetbrushedthemwithhisrobeashepassedwithoutevenlookingat，somegiganticpiecesofamber，analmostdivinematerialformedbythe，raysofthesun。
　　Acloudofodorousvapourburstforth。
　　“Pushopenthedoor！”
　　Theywentin。
　　Nakedmenwerekneadingpastes，crushingherbs，stirringcoals，pouringoilintojars，andopeningandshuttingthelittleovoidcells，whichwerehollowedoutallroundinthewall，andweresonumerous，thattheapartmentwasliketheinteriorofahive。Theywerebrimful，ofmyrobalan，bdellium，saffron，andviolets。Gums，powders，roots，glassphials，branchesoffilipendula，androse-petalswerescattered，abouteverywhere，andthescentswerestiflinginspiteofthecloud-
　　wreathsfromthestyraxshrivellingonabrazentripodinthecentre。
　　TheChiefoftheSweetOdours，paleandlongasawaxentorch，cameup，toHamilcartocrusharollofmetopioninhishands，whiletwoothers，rubbedhisheelswithleavesofbaccharis。Herepelledthem;theywere，Cyreneansofinfamousmorals，butvaluedonaccountofthesecrets，whichtheypossessed。
　　ToshowhisvigilancetheChiefoftheOdoursofferedtheSuffeta，littlemalobathrumtotasteinanelectrumspoon;thenhepierced，threeIndianbezoarswithanawl。Themaster，whoknewtheartifices，employed，tookahornfullofbalm，andafterholdingitnearthe，coalsinclineditoverhisrobe。Abrownspotappeared;itwasa，fraud。ThenhegazedfixedlyattheChiefoftheOdours，andwithout，sayinganythingflungthegazelle’shornfullinhisface。
　　Howeverindignanthemightbeatadulterationsmadetohisown，prejudice，whenheperceivedsomeparcelsofnardwhichwerebeing，packedupforcountriesbeyondthesea，heorderedantimonytobe，mixedwithitsoastomakeitheavier。
　　Thenheaskedwherethreeboxesofpsagdasdesignedforhisownuse，weretobefound。
　　TheChiefoftheOdoursconfessedthathedidnotknow;somesoldiers，hadcomehowlinginwithknivesandhehadopenedtheboxesforthem。
　　“Soyouaremoreafraidofthemthenofme！”criedtheSuffet;andhis，eyeballsflashedliketorchesthroughthesmokeuponthetall，pale，manwhowasbeginningtounderstand。“Abdalonim！youwillmakehimrun，thegauntletbeforesunset：tearhim！”
　　Thisloss，whichwaslessthantheothers，hadexasperatedhim;forin，spiteofhiseffortstobanishthemfromhisthoughtshewas，continuallycomingagainacrosstheBarbarians。Theirexcesseswere，blendedwithhisdaughter’sshame，andhewasangrywiththewhole，householdforknowingofthelatterandfornotspeakingofittohim。
　　Butsomethingimpelledhimtoburyhimselfinhismisfortune;andin，aninquisitorialfithevisitedtheshedsbehindthemercantilehouse，toseethesuppliesofbitumen，wood，anchorsandcordage，honeyand，wax，theclothwarehouse，thestoresoffood，themarbleyardandthe，silphiumbarn。
　　Hewenttotheothersideofthegardenstomakeaninspectionin，theircottages，ofthedomesticartisanswhoseproductionsweresold。
　　Thereweretailorsembroideringcloaks，othersmakingnets，others，paintingcushionsorcuttingoutsandals，andEgyptianworkmen，polishedpapyruswithashell，whiletheweavers’shuttlesrattledand，thearmourers’anvilsrang。
　　Hamilcarsaidtothem：
　　“Beatawayattheswords！Ishallwantthem。”Andhedrewthe，antelope’sskinthathadbeensteepedinpoisonsfromhisbosomto，haveitcutintoacuirassmoresolidthanoneofbrassand，unassailablebysteelorflame。
　　Assoonasheapproachedtheworkmen，Abdalonim，togivehiswrath，anotherdirection，triedtoangerhimagainstthembymurmured，disparagementoftheirwork。“Whataperformance！Itisashame！The，Masterisindeedtoogood。”Hamilcarmovedawaywithoutlisteningto，him。
　　Heslackenedhispace，forthepathswerebarredbygreattrees，calcinedfromoneendtotheother，suchasmaybemetwithinwoods，whereshepherdshaveencamped;andthepalingswerebroken，thewater，inthetrencheswasdisappearing，whilefragmentsofglassandthe，bonesofapesweretobeseenamidthemirypuddles。Ascrapofcloth，hunghereandtherefromthebushes，andtherottenflowersformeda，yellowmuck-heapbeneaththecitrontrees。Infact，theservantshad，neglectedeverything，thinkingthatthemasterwouldneverreturn。
　　Ateverystephediscoveredsomenewdisaster，somefurtherproofof，thethingwhichhehadforbiddenhimselftolearn。Herehewassoiling，hispurplebootsashecrushedthefilthunder-foot;andhehadnot，allthesemenbeforehimattheendofacatapulttomakethemfly，intofragments！Hefelthumiliatedathavingdefendedthem;itwasa，delusionandapieceoftreachery;andashecouldnotrevengehimself，uponthesoldiers，ortheAncients，orSalammbo，oranybody，andhis，wrathrequiredsomevictim，hecondemnedalltheslavesofthegardens，totheminesatasinglestroke。
　　Abdalonimshudderedeachtimethathesawhimapproachingtheparks。
　　ButHamilcartookthepathtowardsthemill，fromwhichtheremightbe，heardissuingamournfulmelopoeia。
　　Theheavymill-stoneswereturningamidthedust。Theyconsistedof，twoconesofporphyrylaidtheoneupontheother——theupperoneof，thetwo，whichcarriedafunnel，beingmadetorevolveuponthesecond，bymeansofstrongbars。Somemenwerepushingthesewiththeir，breastsandarms，whileotherswereyokedtothemandwerepulling，them。Thefrictionofthestrapshadformedpurulentscabsroundabout，theirarmpitssuchasareseenonasses’withers，andtheendofthe，limpblackrag，whichscarcelycoveredtheirloins，hungdownand，flappedagainsttheirhamslikealongtail。Theireyeswerered，the，ironsontheirfeetclanked，andalltheirbreastspanted，rhythmically。Ontheirmouthstheyhadmuzzlesfastenedbytwolittle，bronzechainstorenderitimpossibleforthemtoeattheflour，and，theirhandswereenclosedingauntletswithoutfingers，soasto，preventthemfromtakingany。
　　Atthemaster’sentrancethewoodenbarscreakedstillmoreloudly。
　　Thegraingratedasitwasbeingcrushed。Severalfellupontheir，knees;theothers，continuingtheirwork，steppedacrossthem。
　　HeaskedforGiddenem，thegovernoroftheslaved，andthatpersonage，appeared，hisrankbeingdisplayedintherichnessofhisdress。His，tunic，whichwasslitupthesides，wasoffinepurple;hisearswere，weightedwithheavyrings;andthestripsofclothenfoldinghislegs，werejoinedtogetherwithalacingofgoldwhichextendedfromhis，anklestohiships，likeaserpentwindingaboutatree。Inhis，fingers，whichwereladenwithrings，heheldanecklaceofjetbeads，soastorecognisethemenwhoweresubjecttothesacreddisease。
　　Hamilcarsignedtohimtounfastenthemuzzles。Thenwiththecriesof，famishedanimalstheyallrushedupontheflour，buryingtheirfaces，intheheapsofitanddevouringit。
　　“Youareweakeningthem！”saidtheSuffet。
　　Giddenemrepliedthatsuchtreatmentwasnecessaryinordertosubdue，them。
　　“Itwasscarcelyworthwhilesendingyoutotheslaves’schoolat，Syracuse。Fetchtheothers！”
　　Andthecooks，butlers，grooms，runners，andlitter-carriers，themen，belongingtothevapour-baths，andthewomenwiththeirchildren，all，rangedthemselvesinasinglelineinthegardenfromthemercantile，housetothedeerpark。Theyheldtheirbreath。Animmensesilence，prevailedinMegara。Thesunwaslengtheningacrossthelagoonatthe，footofthecatacombs。Thepeacockswerescreeching。Hamilcarwalked，alongstepbystep。
　　“WhatamItodowiththeseoldcreatures？”hesaid。“Sellthem！There，aretoomanyGauls：theyaredrunkards！andtoomanyCretans：theyare，liars！BuymesomeCappadocians，Asiatics，andNegroes。”
　　Hewasastonishedthatthechildrenweresofew。“Thehouseoughtto，havebirthseveryyear，Giddenem。Youwillleavethehutsopenevery，nighttoletthemminglefreely。”
　　Hethenhadthethieves，thelazy，andthemutinousshowntohim。He，distributedpunishments，withreproachestoGiddenem;andGiddenem，ox-like，benthislowforehead，withitstwobroadintersecting，eyebrows。
　　“See，EyeofBaal，“hesaid，pointingoutasturdyLibyan，“hereis，onewhowascaughtwiththeroperoundhisneck。”
　　“Ah！youwishtodie？”saidtheSuffetscornfully。
　　“Yes！”repliedtheslaveinanintrepidtone。
　　Then，withoutheedingtheprecedentorthepecuniaryloss，Hamilcar，saidtotheserving-men：
　　“Awaywithhim！”
　　Perhapsinhisthoughtsheintendedasacrifice。Itwasamisfortune，whichheinflicteduponhimselfinordertoavertmoreterribleones。
　　Giddenemhadhiddenthosewhoweremutilatedbehindtheothers。
　　Hamilcarperceivedthem。
　　“Whocutoffyourarm？”
　　“Thesoldiers，EyeofBaal。”
　　ThentoaSamnitewhowasstaggeringlikeawoundedheron：
　　“Andyou，whodidthattoyou？”
　　Itwasthegovernor，whohadbrokenhislegwithanironbar。
　　ThissillyatrocitymadetheSuffetindignant;hesnatchedthejet，necklaceoutofGiddenem’shands。
　　“Cursedbethedogthatinjurestheflock！GraciousTanith，tocripple，slaves！Ah！youruinyourmaster！Lethimbesmotheredinthe，dunghill。Andthosethataremissing？Wherearethey？Haveyouhelped，thesoldierstomurderthem？”
　　Hisfacewassoterriblethatallthewomenfled。Theslavesdrewback，andformedalargecirclearoundthem;Giddenemwasfrantically，kissinghissandals;Hamilcarstooduprightwithhisarmsraisedabove，him。
　　Butwithhisunderstandingasclearasinthesternestofhisbattles，herecalledathousandodiousthings，ignominiesfromwhichhehad，turnedaside;andinthegleamingofhiswrathhecouldoncemoresee，allhisdisasterssimultaneouslyasinthelightningsofastorm。The，governorsofthecountryestateshadfledthroughterrorofthe，soldiers，perhapsthroughcollusionwiththem;theywerealldeceiving，him;hehadrestrainedhimselftoolong。
　　“Bringthemhere！”hecried;“andbrandthemontheforeheadwithred-
　　hotironsascowards！”
　　Thentheybroughtandspreadoutinthemiddleofthegarden，fetters，carcanets，knives，chainsforthosecondemnedtothemines，cippifor，fasteningthelegs，numellaeforconfiningtheshoulders，and，scorpionsorwhipswithtriplethongsterminatinginbrassclaws。
　　Allwereplacedfacingthesun，inthedirectionofMolochthe，Devourer，andwerestretchedonthegroundontheirstomachsoron，theirbacks，those，however，whoweresentencedtobefloggedstanding，uprightagainstthetreeswithtwomenbesidethem，onecountingthe，blowsandtheotherstriking。
　　Instrikingheusedbothhisarms，andthewhistlingthongsmadethe，barkoftheplane-treesfly。Thebloodwasscatteredlikerainupon，thefoliage，andredmasseswrithedwithhowlsatthefootofthe，trees。Thosewhowereundertheirontoretheirfaceswiththeir，nails。Thewoodenscrewscouldbeheardcreaking;dullknockings，resounded;sometimesasharpcrywouldsuddenlypiercetheair。Inthe，directionofthekitchens，menwerebriskingupburningcoalswith，fansamidtatteredgarmentsandscatteredhair，andasmellofburning，fleshwasperceptible。Thosewhowereunderthescourge，swooning，but，keptintheirpositionsbythebondsontheirarms，rolledtheirheads，upontheirshouldersandclosedtheireyes。Theotherswhowere，watchingthembegantoshriekwithterror，andthelions，remembering，thefeastperhaps，stretchedthemselvesoutyawningagainsttheedge，ofthedens。
　　ThenSalammbowasseenontheplatformofherterrace。Sheranwildly，aboutitfromlefttoright。Hamilcarperceivedher。Itseemedtohim，thatshewasholdingupherarmstowardshimtoaskforpardon;witha，gestureofhorrorheplungedintotheelephants’park。
　　TheseanimalsweretheprideofthegreatPunichouses。Theyhad，carriedtheirancestors，hadtriumphedinthewars，andtheywere，reverencedasbeingthefavouritesoftheSun。
　　ThoseofMegarawerethestrongestinCarthage。Beforehewentaway，HamilcarhadrequiredAbdalonimtoswearthathewouldwatchover，them。Buttheyhaddiedfromtheirmutilations;andonlythree，remained，lyinginthemiddleofthecourtinthedustbeforethe，ruinsoftheirmanger。
　　Theyrecognisedhimandcameuptohim。Onehaditsearshorribly，slit，anotherhadalargewoundinitsknee，whilethetrunkofthe，thirdwascutoff。
　　Theylookedsadlyathim，likereasonablecreatures;andtheonethat，hadlostitstrunktriedbystoopingitshugeheadandbendingits，hamstostrokehimsoftlywiththehideousextremityofitsstump。
　　Atthiscaressfromtheanimaltwotearsstartedintohiseyes。He，rushedatAbdalonim。
　　“Ah！wretch！thecross！thecross！”
　　Abdalonimfellbackswooningupontheground。
　　Thebarkofajackalrangfrombehindthepurplefactories，theblue，smokeofwhichwasascendingslowlyintothesky;Hamilcarpaused。
　　Thethoughtofhissonhadsuddenlycalmedhimlikethetouchofa，god。Hecaughtaglimpseofaprolongationofhismight，anindefinite，continuationofhispersonality，andtheslavescouldnotunderstand，whencethisappeasementhadcomeuponhim。
　　Ashebenthisstepstowardsthepurplefactorieshepassedbeforethe，ergastulum，whichwasalonghouseofblackstonebuiltinasquare，pitwithasmallpathwayallrounditandfourstaircasesatthe，corners。
　　Iddibalwasdoubtlesswaitinguntilthenighttofinishhissignal。
　　“Thereisnohurryyet，“thoughtHamilcar;andhewentdownintothe，prison。Somecriedouttohim：“Return“;theboldestfollowedhim。
　　Theopendoorwasflappinginthewind。Thetwilightenteredthrough，thenarrowloopholes，andintheinteriorbrokenchainscouldbe，distinguishedhangingfromthewalls。
　　Thiswasallthatremainedofthecaptivesofwar！
　　ThenHamilcargrewextraordinarilypale，andthosewhowereleaning，overthepitoutsidesawhimrestingonehandagainstthewalltokeep，himselffromfalling。
　　Butthejackaluttereditscrythreetimesinsuccession。Hamilcar，raisedhishead;hedidnotspeakawordnormakeagesture。Thenwhen，thesunhadcompletelysethedisappearedbehindthenopalhedge，and，intheeveninghesaidasheenteredtheassemblyoftherichinthe，templeofEschmoun：
　　“LuminariesoftheBaalim，IacceptthecommandofthePunicforces，againstthearmyoftheBarbarians！”
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEBATTLEOFTHEMACARAS
　　Inthefollowingdayhedrewtwohundredandtwenty-threethousand，kikarsofgoldfromtheSyssitia，anddecreedataxoffourteen，shekelsupontherich。Eventhewomencontributed;paymentwasmadein，behalfofthechildren，andhecompelledthecollegesofprieststo，furnishmoney——amonstrousthing，accordingtoCarthaginiancustoms。
　　Hedemandedallthehorses，mules，andarms。Afewtriedtoconceal，theirwealth，andtheirpropertywassold;and，tointimidatethe，avariceoftherest，hehimselfgavesixtysuitsofarmour，and，fifteenhundredgomersofmeal，whichwasasmuchaswasgivenbythe，IvoryCompany。
　　HesentintoLiguriatobuysoldiers，threethousandmountaineers，accustomedtofightwithbears;theywerepaidforsixmoonsin，advanceattherateoffourminaeaday。
　　Neverthelessanarmywaswanted。Buthedidnot，likeHanno，accept，allthecitizens。Firstherejectedthoseengagedinsedentary，occupations，andthenthosewhowerebig-belliedorhada，pusillanimouslook;andheadmittedthoseofill-repute，thescumof，Malqua，sonsofBarbarians，freedmen。Forrewardhepromisedsomeof，theNewCarthaginianscompleterightsofcitizenship。
　　HisfirstcarewastoreformtheLegion。Thesehandsomeyoungfellows，whoregardedthemselvesasthemilitarymajestyoftheRepublic，governedthemselves。Hereducedtheirofficerstotheranks;he，treatedthemharshly，madethemrun，leap，ascendthedeclivityof，Byrsaatasingleburst，hurljavelins，wrestletogether，andsleepin，thesquaresatnight。Theirfamiliesusedtocometoseethemandpity，them。
　　Heorderedshorterswordsandstrongerbuskins。Hefixedthenumberof，serving-men，andreducedtheamountofbaggage;andastherewere，threehundredRomanpilakeptinthetempleofMoloch，hetookthemin，spiteofthepontiff’sprotests。
　　Heorganisedaphalanxofseventy-twoelephantswiththosewhichhad，returnedfromUtica，andotherswhichwereprivateproperty，and，renderedthemformidable。Hearmedtheirdriverswithmalletand，chiseltoenablethemtosplittheirskullsinthefightiftheyran，away。
　　HewouldnotallowhisgeneralstobenominatedbytheGrandCouncil。
　　TheAncientstriedtourgethelawsinobjection，buthesetthem，aside;nooneventuredtomurmuragain，andeverythingyieldedtothe，violenceofhisgenius。
　　Heassumedsolechargeofthewar，thegovernment，andthefinances;
　　andasaprecautionagainstaccusationshedemandedtheSuffetHanno，asexaminerofhisaccounts。
　　Hesettoworkupontheramparts，andhadtheoldandnowuseless，innerwallsdemolishedinordertofurnishstones。Butdifferenceof，fortune，replacingthehierarchyofrace，stillkeptthesonsofthe，vanquishedandthoseoftheconquerorsapart;thusthepatricians，viewedthedestructionoftheseruinswithanangryeye，whilethe，plebeians，scarcelyknowingwhy，rejoiced。
　　Thetroopsdefiledunderarmsthroughthestreetsfrommorningtill，night;everymomentthesoundoftrumpetswasheard;chariotspassed，bearingshields，tents，andpikes;thecourtswerefullofwomen，engagedintearinguplinen;theenthusiasmspreadfromoneto，another，andHamilcar’ssoulfilledtheRepublic。
　　Hehaddividedhissoldiersintoevennumbers，beingcarefultoplace，astrongmanandaweakonealternatelythroughoutthelengthofhis，files，sothathewhowaslessvigorousormorecowardlymightbeat，onceledandpushedforwardbytwoothers。Butwithhisthreethousand，Ligurians，andthebestinCarthage，hecouldformonlyasimple，phalanxoffourthousandandninety-sixhoplites，protectedbybronze，helmets，andhandlingashensarissaefourteencubitslong。
　　Thereweretwothousandyoungmen，eachequippedwithasling，a，dagger，andsandals。Hereinforcedthemwitheighthundredothers，armedwithroundshieldsandRomanswords。
　　Theheavycavalrywascomposedofthenineteenhundredremaining，guardsmenoftheLegion，coveredwithplatesofvermilionbronze，like，theAssyrianClinabarians。Hehadfurtherfourhundredmounted，archers，ofthosethatwerecalledTarentines，withcapsofweasel’s，skin，two-edgedaxes，andleatherntunics。Finallythereweretwelve，hundredNegroesfromthequarterofthecaravans，whoweremingled，withtheClinabarians，andweretorunbesidethestallionswithone，handrestingonthemanes。Allwasready，andyetHamilcardidnot，start。
　　OftenatnighthewouldgooutofCarthagealoneandmakehisway，beyondthelagoontowardsthemouthsoftheMacaras。Didheintendto，jointheMercenaries？TheLiguriansencampedintheMappaliandistrict，surroundedhishouse。
　　Theapprehensionsoftherichappearedjustifiedwhen，oneday，three，hundredBarbarianswereseenapproachingthewalls。TheSuffetopened，thegatestothem;theyweredeserters;drawnbyfearorbyfidelity，theywerehasteningtotheirmaster。
　　Hamilcar’sreturnhadnotsurprisedtheMercenaries;accordingto，theirideasthemancouldnotdie。Hewasreturningtofulfilhis，promise;——ahopebynomeansabsurd，sodeepwastheabyssbetween，CountryandArmy。Moreovertheydidnotbelievethemselvesculpable;
　　thefeastwasforgotten。
　　Thespieswhomtheysurprisedundeceivedthem。Itwasatriumphfor，thebitter;eventhelukewarmgrewfurious。Thenthetwosieges，overwhelmedthenwithweariness;noprogresswasbeingmade;abattle，wouldbebetter！Thusmanymenhadlefttheranksandwerescouring，thecountry。Butatnewsofthearmingtheyreturned;Matholeapedfor，joy。“Atlast！atlast！”hecried。
　　ThentheresentmentwhichhecherishedagainstSalammbowasturned，againstHamilcar。Hishatecouldnowperceiveadefiniteprey;andas，hisvengeancegreweasierofconceptionhealmostbelievedthathehad，realiseditandherevelledinitalready。Atthesametimehewas，seizedwithaloftiertenderness，andconsumedbymoreacriddesire。
　　Hesawhimselfalternatelyinthemidstofthesoldiersbrandishing，theSuffet’sheadonapike，andthenintheroomwiththepurplebed，claspingthemaideninhisarms，coveringherfacewithkisses，passinghishandsoverherlong，blackhair;andtheimaginationof，this，whichheknewcouldneverberealised，torturedhim。Hesworeto，himselfthat，sincehiscompanionshadappointedhimschalishim，he，wouldconductthewar;thecertaintythathewouldnotreturnfromit，urgedhimtorenderitapitilessone。
　　HecametoSpendiusandsaidtohim：
　　“Youwillgoandgetyourmen！Iwillbringmine！WarnAutaritus！We，arelostifHamilcarattacksus！Doyouunderstandme？Rise！”
　　Spendiuswasstupefiedbeforesuchanairofauthority。Mathousually，allowedhimselftobeled，andhisprevioustransportshadquickly，passedaway。Butjustnowheappearedatoncecalmerandmore，terrible;asuperbwillgleamedinhiseyesliketheflameof，sacrifice。
　　TheGreekdidnotlistentohisreasons。Hewaslivinginoneofthe，Carthaginianpearl-borderedtents，drinkingcoolbeveragesfromsilver，cups，playingatthecottabos，lettinghishairgrow，andconducting，thesiegewithslackness。Moreover，hehadenteredintocommunications，withsomeinthetownandwouldnotleave，beingsurethatitwould，openitsgatesbeforemanydayswereover。
　　Narr’Havas，whowanderedaboutamongthethreearmies，wasatthat，timewithhim。Hesupportedhisopinion，andevenblamedtheLibyan，forwishinginhisexcessofcouragetoabandontheirenterprise。
　　“Go，ifyouareafraid！”exclaimedMatho;“youpromiseduspitch，sulphur，elephants，foot-soldiers，horses！wherearethey？”
　　Narr’HavasremindedhimthathehadexterminatedHanno’slast，cohorts;——astotheelephants，theywerebeinghuntedinthewoods，he，wasarmingthefoot-soldiers，thehorseswereontheirway;andthe，Numidianrolledhiseyeslikeawomanandsmiledinanirritating，mannerashestrokedtheostrichfeatherwhichfelluponhisshoulder。
　　InhispresenceMathowasatalossforareply。
　　Butamanwhowasastrangerentered，wetwithperspiration，scared，andwithbleedingfeetandloosenedgirdle;hisbreathingshookhis，leansidesenoughtohaveburstthem，andspeakinginan，unintelligibledialectheopenedhiseyeswideasifheweretelling，ofsomebattle。Thekingsprangoutsideandcalledhishorsemen。
　　Theyrangedthemselvesintheplainbeforehimintheformofa，circle。Narr’Havas，whowasmounted，benthisheadandbithislips。
　　Atlastheseparatedhismenintotwoequaldivisions，andtoldthe，firsttowait;thenwithanimperiousgesturehecarriedoffthe，othersatagallopanddisappearedonthehorizoninthedirectionof，themountains。
　　“Master！”murmuredSpendius，“Idonotliketheseextraordinary，chances——theSuffetreturning，Narr’Havasgoingaway——“
　　“Why！whatdoesitmatter？”saidMathodisdainfully。
　　ItwasareasonthemoreforanticipatingHamilcarbyunitingwith，Autaritus。Butifthesiegeofthetownswereraised，theinhabitants，wouldcomeoutandattackthemintherear，whiletheywouldhavethe，Carthaginiansinfront。Aftermuchtalkingthefollowingmeasureswere，resolveduponandimmediatelyexecuted。
　　Spendiusproceededwithfifteenthousandmenasfarasthebridge，builtacrosstheMacaras，threemilesfromUtica;thecornersofit，werefortifiedwithfourhugetowersprovidedwithcatapults;allthe，pathsandgorgesinthemountainswerestoppedupwithtrunksof，trees，piecesofrock，interlacingsofthorn，andstonewalls;onthe，summitsheapsofgrassweremadewhichmightbelightedassignals，andshepherdswhowereabletoseeatadistancewerepostedat，intervals。
　　NodoubtHamilcarwouldnot，likeHanno，advancebythemountainof，theHotSprings。HewouldthinkthatAutaritus，beingmasterofthe，interior，wouldclosetherouteagainsthim。Moreover，acheckatthe，openingofthecampaignwouldruinhim，whileifhegainedavictory，hewouldsoonhavetomakeafreshbeginning，theMercenariesbeing，furtheroff。Again，hecoulddisembarkatCapeGrapesandmarchthence，upononeofthetowns。Buthewouldthenfindhimselfbetweenthetwo，armies，anindiscretionwhichhecouldnotcommitwithhisscanty，forces。AccordinglyhemustproceedalongthebaseofMountAriana，thenturntothelefttoavoidthemouthsoftheMacaras，andcome，straighttothebridge。ItwastherethatMathoexpectedhim。
　　Atnightheusedtoinspectthepioneersbytorch-light。Hewould，hastentoHippo-Zarytusortotheworksonthemountains，wouldcome，backagain，wouldneverrest。Spendiusenviedhisenergy;butinthe，managementofspies，thechoiceofsentries，theworkingofthe，enginesandallmeansofdefence，Matholisteneddocilelytohis，companion。TheyspokenomoreofSalammbo，——onenotthinkingabout，her，andtheotherbeingpreventedbyafeelingofshame。
　　OftenhewouldgotowardsCarthage，strivingtocatchsightof，Hamilcar’stroops。Hiseyeswoulddartalongthehorizon;hewouldlie，flatontheground，andbelievethathecouldhearanarmyinthe，throbbingofhisarteries。
　　HetoldSpendiusthatifHamilcardidnotarriveinthreedayshe，wouldgowithallhismentomeethimandofferhimbattle。Two，furtherdayselapsed。Spendiusrestrainedhim;butonthemorningof，thesixthdayhedeparted。
　　TheCarthaginianswerenolessimpatientforwarthantheBarbarians。
　　Intentsandinhousestherewasthesamelongingandthesame，distress;allwereaskingoneanotherwhatwasdelayingHamilcar。
　　Fromtimetotimehewouldmounttothecupolaofthetempleof，EschmounbesidetheAnnounceroftheMoonsandtakenoteofthewind。
　　Oneday——itwasthethirdofthemonthofTibby——theysawhim，descendingfromtheAcropoliswithhurriedsteps。Agreatclamour，aroseintheMappaliandistrict。Soonthestreetswereastir，andthe，soldierswereeverywherebeginningtoarmthemselvesupontheir，breasts;thentheyranquicklytothesquareofKhamontotaketheir，placesintheranks。Noonewasallowedtofollowthemorevento，speaktothem，ortoapproachtheramparts;forsomeminutesthewhole，townwassilentasagreattomb。Thesoldiersastheyleanedontheir，lanceswerethinking，andtheothersinthehousesweresighing。
　　Atsunsetthearmywentoutbythewesterngate;butinsteadoftaking，theroadtoTunisormakingforthemountainsinthedirectionof，Utica，theycontinuedtheirmarchalongtheedgeofthesea;andthey，soonreachedtheLagoon，whereroundspacesquitewhitenedwithsalt，glitteredlikegiganticsilverdishesforgottenontheshore。
　　Thenthepoolsofwatermultiplied。Thegroundgraduallybecame，softer，andthefeetsankinit。Hamilcardidnotturnback。Hewent，onstillattheirhead;andhishorse，whichwasyellow-spottedlikea，dragon，advancedintothemireflingingfrotharoundhim，andwith，greatstrainingoftheloins。Night——amoonlesslight——fell。Afew，criedoutthattheywereabouttoperish;hesnatchedtheirarmsfrom，them，andgavethemtotheserving-men。Neverthelessthemudbecame，deeperanddeeper。Somehadtomountthebeastsofburden;others，clungtothehorses’tails;thesturdypulledtheweak，andthe，Liguriancorpsdroveontheinfantrywiththepointsoftheirpikes。
　　Thedarknessincreased。Theyhadlosttheirway。Allstopped。
　　ThensomeoftheSuffet’sslaveswentonaheadtolookforthebuoys，whichhadbeenplacedatintervalsbyhisorder。Theyshoutedthrough，thedarkness，andthearmyfollowedthematadistance。
　　Atlasttheyfelttheresistanceoftheground。Thenawhitishcurve，becamedimlyvisible，andtheyfoundthemselvesonthebankofthe，Macaras。Inspiteofthecoldnofireswerelighted。
　　Inthemiddleofthenightsquallsofwindarose。Hamilcarhadthe，soldiersroused，butnotatrumpetwassounded：theircaptaintapped，themsoftlyontheshoulder。
　　Amanofloftystaturewentdownintothewater。Itdidnotcomeupto，hisgirdle;itwaspossibletocross。
　　TheSuffetorderedthirty-twooftheelephantstobepostedinthe，riverahundredpacesfurtheron，whiletheothers，lowerdown，would，checkthelinesofmenthatwerecarriedawaybythecurrent;and，holdingtheirweaponsabovetheirheadstheyallcrossedtheMacaras，asthoughbetweentwowalls。Hehadnoticedthatthewesternwindhad，driventhesandsoastoobstructtheriverandformanatural，causewayacrossit。
　　HewasnowontheleftbankinfrontofUtica，andinavastplain，thelatterbeingadvantageousforhiselephants，whichformedthe，strengthofhisarmy。
　　Thisfeatofgeniusfilledthesoldierswithenthusiasm。They，recoveredextraordinaryconfidence。Theywishedtohastenimmediately，againsttheBarbarians;buttheSuffetbadethemrestfortwohours。
　　Assoonasthesunappearedtheymovedintotheplaininthreelines——
　　firstcametheelephants，andthenthelightinfantrywiththecavalry，behindit，thephalanxmarchingnext。
　　TheBarbariansencampedatUtica，andthefifteenthousandaboutthe，bridgeweresurprisedtoseethegroundundulatinginthedistance。
　　Thewind，whichwasblowingveryhard，wasdrivingtornadoesofsand，beforeit;theyroseasthoughsnatchedfromthesoil，ascendedin，greatlight-colouredstrips，thenpartedasunderandbeganagain，hidingthePunicarmythewhilefromtheMercenaries。Owingtothe，horns，whichstoodupontheedgeofthehelmets，somethoughtthat，theycouldperceiveaherdofoxen;others，deceivedbythemotionof，thecloaks，pretendedthattheycoulddistinguishwings，andthosewho，hadtravelledagooddealshruggedtheirshouldersandexplained，everythingbytheillusionsofthemirage。Neverthelesssomethingof，enormoussizecontinuedtoadvance。Littlevapours，assubtleasthe，breath，ranacrossthesurfaceofthedesert;thesun，whichwas，highernow，shonemorestrongly：aharshlight，whichseemedto，vibrate，threwbackthedepthsofthesky，andpermeatingobjects，rendereddistanceincalculable。Theimmenseplainexpandedinevery，directionbeyondthelimitsofvision;andthealmostinsensible，undulationsofthesoilextendedtotheextremehorizon，whichwas，closedbyagreatbluelinewhichtheyknewtobethesea。Thetwo，armies，havinglefttheirtents，stoodgazing;thepeopleofUtica，weremassingontherampartstohaveabetterview。
　　Atlasttheydistinguishedseveraltransversebarsbristlingwith，levelpoints。Theybecamethicker，larger;blackhillocksswayedto，andfro;squarethicketssuddenlyappeared;theywereelephantsand，lances。Asingleshoutwentup：“TheCarthaginians！”andwithout，signalorcommandthesoldiersatUticaandthoseatthebridgeran，pell-melltofallinabodyuponHamilcar。
　　Spendiusshudderedatthename。“Hamilcar！Hamilcar！”herepeated，panting，andMathowasnotthere！Whatwastobedone？Nomeansof，flight！Thesuddennessoftheevent，histerroroftheSuffet，and，aboveall，theurgentneedofforminganimmediateresolution，distractedhim;hecouldseehimselfpiercedbyathousandswords，decapitated，dead。Meanwhilehewasbeingcalledfor;thirtythousand，menwouldfollowhim;hewasseizedwithfuryagainsthimself;hefell，backuponthehopeofvictory;itwasfullofbliss，andhebelieved，himselfmoreintrepidthanEpaminondas。Hesmearedhischeekswith，vermilioninordertoconcealhispaleness，thenhebuckledonhis，knemidsandhiscuirass，swallowedapateraofpurewine，andran，afterhistroops，whowerehasteningtowardsthosefromUtica。
　　TheyunitedsorapidlythattheSuffethadnottimetodrawuphismen，inbattlearray。Bydegreesheslackenedhisspeed。Theelephants，stopped;theyrockedtheirheavyheadswiththeirchargingsofostrich，feathers，strikingtheirshouldersthewhilewiththeirtrunks。
　　Behindtheintervalsbetweenthemmightbeseenthecohortsofthe，velites，andfurtheronthegreathelmetsoftheClinabarians，with，steelheadsglancinginthesun，cuirasses，plumes，andwaving，standards。ButtheCarthaginianarmy，whichamountedtoeleven，thousandthreehundredandninety-sixmen，seemedscarcelytocontain，them，foritformedanoblong，narrowatthesidesandpressedback，uponitself。
　　Seeingthemsoweak，theBarbarians，whowerethriceasnumerous，were，seizedwithextravagantjoy。Hamilcarwasnottobeseen。Perhapshe，hadremaineddownyonder？Moreoverwhatdiditmatter？Thedisdain，whichtheyfeltforthesetradersstrengthenedtheircourage;and，beforeSpendiuscouldcommandamanoeuvretheyhadallunderstoodit，andalreadyexecutedit。
　　Theyweredeployedinalong，straightline，overlappingthewingsof，thePunicarmyinordertocompletelyencompassit。Butwhentherewas，anintervalofonlythreehundredpacesbetweenthearmies，the，elephantsturnedroundinsteadofadvancing;thentheClinabarians，wereseentofaceaboutandfollowthem;andthesurpriseofthe，Mercenariesincreasedwhentheysawthearchersrunningtojointhem。
　　SotheCarthaginianswereafraid，theywerefleeing！Atremendous，hootingbrokeoutfromamongtheBarbariantroops，andSpendius，exclaimedfromthetopofhisdromedary：“Ah！Iknewit！Forward！
　　forward！”
　　Thenjavelins，darts，andsling-bulletsburstforthsimultaneously。
　　Theelephantsfeelingtheircroupsstungbythearrowsbegantogallop，morequickly;agreatdustenvelopedthem，andtheyvanishedlike，shadowsinacloud。
　　Butfromthedistancetherecamealoudnoiseoffootstepsdominated，bytheshrillsoundofthetrumpets，whichwerebeingblownfuriously。
　　ThespacewhichtheBarbarianshadinfrontofthem，whichwasfullof，eddiesandtumult，attractedlikeawhirlpool;somedashedintoit。
　　Cohortsofinfantryappeared;theyclosedup;andatthesametimeall，therestsawthefoot-soldiershasteningupwiththehorsemanata，gallop。
　　Hamilcarhad，infact，orderedthephalanxtobreakitssections，and，theelephants，lighttroops，andcavalrytopassthroughtheintervals，soastobringthemselvesspeedilyuponthewings，andsowellhadhe，calculatedthedistancefromtheBarbarians，thatatthemomentwhen，theyreachedhim，theentireCarthaginianarmyformedonelong，straightline。
　　Inthecentrebristledthephalanx，formedofsyntagmataorfull，squareshavingsixteenmenoneachside。Alltheleadersofallthe，filesappearedamidlong，sharplanceheads，whichjuttedoutunevenly，aroundthem，forthefirstsixrankscrossedtheirsarissae，holding，theminthemiddle，andthetenlowerranksrestedthemuponthe，shouldersoftheircompanionsinsuccessionbeforethem。Theirfaces，wereallhalfhiddenbeneaththevisorsoftheirhelmets;theirright，legswereallcoveredwithbronzeknemids;broadcylindricalshields，reacheddowntotheirknees;andthehorriblequadrangularmassmoved，inasinglebody，andseemedtolivelikeananimalandworklikea，machine。Twocohortsofelephantsflankeditinregulararray;
　　quivering，theyshookoffthesplintersofthearrowsthatclungto，theirblackskins。TheIndians，squattingontheirwithersamongthe，tuftsofwhitefeathers，restrainedthemwiththeirspoon-headed，harpoons，whilethemeninthetowers，whowerehiddenuptotheir，shoulders，movedaboutirondistaffsfurnishedwithlightedtowonthe，edgesoftheirlargebendedbows。Rightandleftoftheelephants，hoveredtheslingers，eachwithaslingaroundhisloins，asecondon，hishead，andathirdinhisrighthand。ThencametheClinabarians，eachflankedbyaNegro，andpointingtheirlancesbetweentheearsof，theirhorses，which，likethemselves，werecompletelycoveredwith，gold。Afterwards，atintervals，camethelightarmedsoldierswith，shieldsoflynxskin，beyondwhichprojectedthepointsofthe，javelinswhichtheyheldintheirlefthands;whiletheTarentines，eachhavingtwocoupledhorses，relievedthiswallofsoldiersatits，twoextremities。
　　ThearmyoftheBarbarians，onthecontrary，hadnotbeenableto，preserveitsline。Undulationsandblanksweretobefoundthroughits，extravagantlength;allwerepantingandoutofbreathwiththeir，running。
　　Thephalanxmovedheavilyalongwiththrustsfromallitssarissae;
　　andthetooslenderlineoftheMercenariessoonyieldedinthecentre，beneaththeenormousweight。
　　ThentheCarthaginianwingsexpandedinordertofalluponthem，the，elephantsfollowing。Thephalanx，withobliquelypointedlances，cut，throughtheBarbarians;thereweretwoenormous，strugglingbodies;
　　andthewingswithslingsandarrowsbeatthembackuponthe，phalangites。Therewasnocavalrytogetridofthem，excepttwo，hundredNumidiansoperatingagainsttherightsquadronofthe，Clinabarians。Alltherestwerehemmedin，andunabletoextricate，themselvesfromthelines。Theperilwasimminent，andtheneedof，comingtosomeresolutionurgent。
　　Spendiusorderedattackstobemadesimultaneouslyonbothflanksof，thephalanxsoastopasscleanthroughit。Butthenarrowerranks，glidedbelowthelongeronesandrecoveredtheirposition，andthe，phalanxturnedupontheBarbariansasterribleinflankasithadjust，beeninfront。
　　Theystruckatthestavesofthesarissae，butthecavalryintherear，embarrassedtheirattack;andthephalanx，supportedbytheelephants，lengthenedandcontracted，presentingitselfintheformofasquare，acone，arhombus，atrapezium，apyramid。Atwofoldinternalmovement，wentoncontinuallyfromitsheadtoitsrear;forthosewhowereat，thelowestpartofthefileshasteneduptothefirstranks，whilethe，latter，fromfatigue，oronaccountofthewounded，fellfurtherback。
　　TheBarbariansfoundthemselvesthrongeduponthephalanx。Itwas，impossibleforittoadvance;therewas，asitwere，anoceanwherein，leapedredcrestsandscalesofbrass，whilethebrightshieldsrolled，likesilverfoam。Sometimesbroadcurrentswoulddescendfromone，extremitytotheother，andthengoupagain，whileaheavymass，remainedmotionlessinthecentre。Thelancesdippedandrose，alternately。Elsewheretherewassoquickaplayofnakedswordsthat，onlythepointswerevisible，whileturmaeofcavalryformedwide，circleswhichclosedagainlikewhirlwindsbehindthem。
　　Abovethevoicesofthecaptains，theringingofclarionsandthe，gratingoftyres，bulletsofleadandalmondsofclaywhistledthrough，theair，dashingtheswordfromthehandorthebrainoutofthe，skull。Thewounded，shelteringthemselveswithonearmbeneaththeir，shields，pointedtheirswordsbyrestingthepommelsontheground，whileothers，lyinginpoolsofblood，wouldturnandbitetheheels，ofthoseabovethem。Themultitudewassocompact，thedustsothick，andthetumultsogreatthatitwasimpossibletodistinguish，anything;thecowardswhoofferedtosurrenderwerenotevenheard。
　　Thosewhosehandswereemptyclaspedoneanotherclose;breasts，crackedagainstcuirasses，andcorpseshungwithheadthrownback，betweenapairofcontractedarms。Therewasacompanyofsixty，Umbrianswho，firmontheirhams，theirpikesbeforetheireyes，immovableandgrindingtheirteeth，forcedtwosyntagmatatorecoil，simultaneously。SomeEpiroteshepherdsranupontheleftsquadronof，theClinabarians，andwhirlingtheirstaves，seizedthehorsesbythe，man;theanimalsthrewtheirridersandfledacrosstheplain。The，Punicslingersscatteredhereandtherestoodgaping。Thephalanx，begantowaver，thecaptainsrantoandfroindistraction，the，rearmostinthefileswerepressinguponthesoldiers，andthe，Barbarianshadre-formed;theywererecovering;thevictorywas，theirs。
　　Butacry，aterriblecrybrokeforth，aroarofpainandwrath：it，camefromtheseventy-twoelephantswhichwererushingonindouble，line，HamilcarhavingwaiteduntiltheMercenariesweremassed，togetherinonespottoletthemlooseagainstthem;theIndianshad，goadedthemsovigorouslythatbloodwastricklingdowntheirbroad，ears。Theirtrunks，whichweresmearedwithmimium，werestretched，straightoutintheairlikeredserpents;theirbreastswere，furnishedwithspearsandtheirbackswithcuirasses;theirtuskswere，lengthenedwithsteelbladescurvedlikesabres，——andtomakethem，moreferocioustheyhadbeenintoxicatedwithamixtureofpepper，wine，andincense。Theyshooktheirnecklacesofbells，andshrieked;
　　andtheelephantarchsbenttheirheadsbeneaththestreamof，phalaricaswhichwasbeginningtoflyfromthetopsofthetowers。
　　InordertoresistthemthebettertheBarbariansrushedforwardina，compactcrowd;theelephantsflungthemselvesimpetuouslyuponthe，centreofit。Thespursontheirbreasts，likeships’prows，clove，throughthecohorts，whichflowedsurgingback。Theystifledthemen，withtheirtrunks，orelsesnatchingthemupfromthegrounddelivered，themovertheirheadstothesoldiersinthetowers;withtheirtusks，theydisembowelledthem，andhurledthemintotheair，andlong，entrailshungfromtheirivoryfangslikebundlesofropefromamast。
　　TheBarbariansstrovetoblindthem，tohamstringthem;otherswould，slipbeneaththeirbodies，buryaswordinthemuptothehilt，and，perishcrushedtodeath;themostintrepidclungtotheirstraps;they，wouldgoonsawingtheleatheramidflames，bullets，andarrows，and，thewickertowerwouldfalllikeatowerofstone。Fourteenofthe，animalsontheextremeright，irritatedbytheirwounds，turnedupon，thesecondrank;theIndiansseizedmalletandchisel，appliedthe，lattertoajointinthehead，andwithalltheirmightstruckagreat，blow。
　　Downfellthehugebeasts，fallingoneaboveanother。Itwaslikea，mountain;andupontheheapofdeadbodiesandarmouramonstrous，elephant，called“TheFuryofBaal，“whichhadbeencaughtbytheleg，insomechains，stoodhowlinguntiltheeveningwithanarrowinits，eye。
　　Theothers，however，likeconquerors，delightinginextermination，overthrew，crushed，stamped，andragedagainstthecorpsesandthe，debris。Torepelthemaniplesinserriedcirclesaroundthem，they，turnedaboutontheirhindfeetastheyadvanced，withacontinual，rotatorymotion。TheCarthaginiansfelttheirenergyincrease，andthe，battlebeginagain。
　　TheBarbariansweregrowingweak;someGreekhoplitesthrewawayall，theirarms，andterrorseizedupontherest。Spendiuswasseen，stoopinguponhisdromedary，andspurringitontheshoulderswithtwo，javelins。Thentheyallrushedawayfromthewingsandrantowards，Utica。
　　TheClinabarians，whosehorseswereexhausted，didnottrytoovertake，them。TheLigurians，whowereweakenedbythirst，criedoutforan，advancetowardstheriver。ButtheCarthaginians，whowerepostedin，thecentreofthesyntagmata，andhadsufferedless，stampedtheir，feetwithlongingforthevengeancewhichwasflyingfromthem;and，theywerealreadydartingforwardinpursuitoftheMercenarieswhen，Hamilcarappeared。
　　Heheldinhisspottedandsweat-coveredhorsewithsilverreins。The，bandsfastenedtothehornsonhishelmetflappedinthewindbehind，him，andhehadplacedhisovalshieldbeneathhisleftthigh。Witha，motionofhistriple-pointedpikehecheckedthearmy。
　　TheTarentinesleapedquicklyupontheirsparehorses，andsetoff，rightandlefttowardstheriverandtowardsthetown。
　　ThephalanxexterminatedalltheremainingBarbariansatleisure。When，theswordsappearedtheywouldstretchouttheirthroatsandclose，theireyelids。Othersdefendedthemselvestothelast，andwere，knockeddownfromadistancewithflintslikemaddogs。Hamilcarhad，desiredthetakingofprisoners，buttheCarthaginiansobeyedhim，grudgingly，somuchpleasuredidtheyderivefromplungingtheir，swordsintothebodiesoftheBarbarians。Astheyweretoohotthey，setabouttheirworkwithbarearmslikemowers;andwhenthey，desistedtotakebreaththeywouldfollowwiththeireyesahorseman，gallopingacrossthecountryafterafleeingsoldier。Hewouldsucceed，inseizinghimbythehair，holdhimthusforawhile，andthenfell，himwithablowofhisaxe。
　　Nightfell。CarthaginiansandBarbarianshaddisappeared。The，elephantswhichhadtakentoflightroamedinthehorizonwiththeir，firedtowers。Theseburnedhereandthereinthedarknesslikebeacons，nearlyhalflostinthemist;andnomovementcouldbediscernedin，theplainsavetheundulationoftheriver，whichwasheapedwith，corpses，andwasdriftingthemawaytothesea。
　　TwohoursafterwardsMathoarrived。Hecaughtsightinthestarlight，oflong，unevenheapslyingupontheground。
　　TheywerefilesofBarbarians。Hestoopeddown;allweredead。He，calledintothedistance，butnovoicereplied。
　　ThatverymorninghehadleftHippo-Zarytuswithhissoldierstomarch，uponCarthage。AtUticathearmyunderSpendiushadjustsetout，and，theinhabitantswerebeginningtofiretheengines。Allhadfought，desperately。But，thetumultwhichwasgoingoninthedirectionof，thebridgeincreasinginanincomprehensiblefashion，Mathohadstruck，acrossthemountainbytheshortestroad，andastheBarbarianswere，fleeingovertheplainhehadencounterednobody。
　　Facinghimwerelittlepyramidalmassesrearingthemselvesinthe，shade，andonthissideoftheriverandclosertohimweremotionless，lightsonthesurfaceoftheground。InfacttheCarthaginianshad，fallenbackbehindthebridge，andtodeceivetheBarbariansthe，Suffethadstationednumerouspostsupontheotherbank。
　　Matho，stilladvancing，thoughtthathecoulddistinguishPunic，engines，forhorses’headswhichdidnotstirappearedintheair，fixeduponthetopsofpilesofstaveswhichcouldnotbeseen;and，furtheroffhecouldhearagreatclamour，anoiseofsongs，and，clashingofcups。
　　Then，notknowingwherehewasnorhowtofindSpendius，assailedwith，anguish，scared，andlostinthedarkness，hereturnedmore，impetuouslybythesameroad。Thedawnasgrowinggreywhenfromthe，topofthemountainheperceivedthetownwiththecarcasesofthe，enginesblackenedbytheflamesandlookinglikegiantskeletons，leaningagainstthewalls。
　　Allwaspeacefulamidextraordinarysilenceandheaviness。Amonghis，soldiersonthevergeofthetentsmenweresleepingnearlynaked，eachuponhisback，orwithhisforeheadagainsthisarmwhichwas，supportedbyhiscuirass。Somewereunwindingbloodstainedbandages，fromtheirlegs。Thosewhoweredoomedtodierolledtheirheadsabout，gently;othersdraggedthemselvesalongandbroughtthemdrink。The，sentrieswalkedupanddownalongthenarrowpathsinordertowarm，themselves，orstoodinafierceattitudewiththeirfacesturned，towardsthehorizon，andtheirpikesontheirshoulders。Mathofound，Spendiusshelteredbeneatharagofcanvas，supportedbytwosticks，setintheground，hiskneeinhishandsandhisheadcastdown。
　　Theyremainedforalongtimewithoutspeaking。
　　AtlastMathomurmured：“Conquered！”
　　Spendiusrejoinedinagloomyvoice：“Yes，conquered！”
　　Andtoallquestionsherepliedbygesturesofdespair。
　　Meanwhilesighsanddeath-rattlesreachedthem。Mathopartiallyopened，thecanvas。Thenthesightofthesoldiersremindedhimofanother，disasteronthesamespot，andhegroundhisteeth：“Wretch！once，already——“
　　Spendiusinterruptedhim：“Youwerenotthereeither。”
　　“Itisacurse！”exclaimedMatho。“Nevertheless，intheendIwill，getathim！Iwillconquerhim！Iwillslayhim！Ah！ifIhadbeen，there！——“Thethoughtofhavingmissedthebattlerenderedhimeven，moredesperatethanthedefeat。Hesnatcheduphisswordandthrewit，upontheground。“ButhowdidtheCarthaginiansbeatyou？”
　　Theformerslavebegantodescribethemanoeuvres。Mathoseemedtosee，them，andhegrewangry。ThearmyfromUticaoughttohavetaken，Hamilcarintherearinsteadofhasteningtothebridge。
　　“Ah！Iknow！”saidSpendius。
　　“Yououghttohavemadeyourrankstwiceasdeep，avoidedexposingthe，velitesagainstthephalanx，andgivenfreepassagetotheelephants。
　　Everythingmighthavebeenrecoveredatthelastmoment;therewasno，necessitytofly。”
　　Spendiusreplied：
　　“Isawhimpassalonginhislargeredcloak，withupliftedarmsand，higherthanthedust，likeaneagleflyingupontheflankofthe，cohorts;andateverynodtheyclosedupordartedforward;thethrong，carriedustowardseachother;helookedatme，andIfeltthecold，steelasitwereinmyheart。”
　　“Heselectedtheday，perhaps？”whisperedMathotohimself。
　　Theyquestionedeachother，tryingtodiscoverwhatitwasthathad，broughttheSuffetjustwhencircumstancesweremostunfavourable。
　　Theywentontotalkoverthesituation，andSpendius，toextenuate，hisfault，ortorevivehiscourage，assertedthatsomehopestill，remained。
　　“Andiftherebenone，itmattersnot！”saidMatho;“alone，Iwill，carryonthewar！”
　　“AndItoo！”exclaimedtheGreek，leapingup;hestrodetoandfro，hiseyessparkling，andastrangesmilewrinkledhisjackalface。
　　“Wewillmakeafreshstart;donotleavemeagain！Iamnotmadefor，battlesinthesunlight——theflashingofswordstroublesmysight;it，isadisease，Ilivedtoolongintheergastulum。Butgivemewallsto，scaleatnight，andIwillenterthecitadels，andthecorpsesshall，becoldbeforecock-crow！Showmeanyone，anything，anenemy，a，treasure，awoman，——awoman，“herepeated，“weresheaking’s，daughter，andIwillquicklybringyourdesiretoyourfeet。You，reproachmeforhavinglostthebattleagainstHanno，neverthelessI
　　wonitbackagain。Confessit！myherdofswinedidmoreforusthana，phalanxofSpartans。”Andyieldingtotheneedthathefeltof，exaltinghimselfandtakinghisrevenge，heenumeratedallthathehad，doneforthecauseoftheMercenaries。“ItwasIwhourgedontheGaul，intheSuffet’sgardens！Andlater，atSicca，Imaddenedthemallwith，fearoftheRepublic！Giscowassendingthemback，butIpreventedthe，interpretersspeaking。Ah！howtheirtongueshungoutoftheirmouths！
　　doyouremember？IbroughtyouintoCarthage;Istolethezaimph。I
　　ledyoutoher。Iwilldomoreyet：youshallsee！”Heburstout，laughinglikeamadman。
　　Mathoregardedhimwithgapingeyes。Hefeltinameasure，uncomfortableinthepresenceofthisman，whowasatoncesocowardly，andsoterrible。
　　TheGreekresumedinjovialtonesandcrackinghisfingers：
　　“Evoe！Sunafterrun！Ihaveworkedinthequarries，andIhavedrunk，Massicwinebeneathagoldenawninginavesselofmyownlikea，Ptolemaeus。Calamityshouldhelptomakeuscleverer。Bydintofwork，wemaymakefortunebend。Shelovespoliticians。Shewillyield！”
　　HereturnedtoMathoandtookhimbythearm。
　　“Master，atpresenttheCarthaginiansaresureoftheirvictory。You，havequiteanarmywhichhasnotfought，andyourmenobeyYOU。Place，theminthefront：minewillfollowtoavengethemselves。Ihavestill，threethousandCarians，twelvehundredslingersandarchers，whole，cohorts！Aphalanxevenmightbeformed;letusreturn！”
　　Matho，whohadbeenstunnedbythedisaster，hadhithertothoughtof，nomeansofrepairingit。Helistenedwithopenmouth，andthebronze，plateswhichcircledhissidesrosewiththeleapingsofhisheart。He，pickeduphissword，crying：
　　“Followme;forward！”
　　Butwhenthescoutsreturned，theyannouncedthattheCarthaginian，deadhadbeencarriedoff，thatthebridgewasinruins，andthat，Hamilcarhaddisappeared。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　INTHEFIELD
　　HamilcarhadthoughtthattheMercenarieswouldawaithimatUtica，or，thattheywouldreturnagainsthim;andfindinghisforces，insufficienttomakeortosustainanattack，hehadstrucksouthwards，alongtherightbankoftheriver，thusprotectinghimselfimmediately，fromasurprise。
　　Heintendedfirsttowinkattherevoltofthetribesandtodetach，themallfromthecauseoftheBarbarians;thenwhentheywerequite，isolatedinthemidstoftheprovinceshewouldfalluponthemand，exterminatethem。
　　InfourteendayshepacifiedtheregioncomprisedbetweenThouccaber，andUtica，withthetownsofTignicabah，Tessourah，Vacca，andothers，furthertothewest。Zoungharbuiltinthemountains，Assoura，celebratedforitstemple，Djeraadofertileinjunipers，Thapitis，and，Hagoursentembassiestohim。Thecountrypeoplecamewiththeirhands，fullofprovisions，imploredhisprotection，kissedhisfeetandthose，ofthesoldiers，andcomplainedoftheBarbarians。Somecametooffer，himbagscontainingheadsofMercenarieskilled，sotheysaid，by，themselves，butwhichtheyhadcutoffcorpses;formanyhadlost，themselvesintheirflight，andwerefounddeadhereandtherebeneath，theolivetreesandamongthevines。
　　Onthemorrowofhisvictory，Hamilcar，todazzlethepeople，hadsent，toCarthagethetwothousandcaptivestakenonthebattlefield。They，arrivedinlongcompaniesofonehundredmeneach，allwiththeirarms，fastenedbehindtheirbackswithabarofbronzewhichcaughtthemat，thenapeoftheneck，andthewounded，bleedingastheystillwere，runningalsoalong;horsemenfollowedthem，drivingthemonwithblows，ofthewhip。
　　Thentherewasadeliriumofjoy！Peoplerepeatedthatthereweresix，thousandBarbarianskilled;theotherswouldnotholdout，andthewar，wasfinished;theyembracedoneanotherinthestreets，andrubbedthe，facesofthePataecGodswithbutterandcinnamomumtothankthem。
　　These，withtheirbigeyes，theirbigbodies，andtheirarmsraisedas，highastheshoulder，seemedtolivebeneaththeirfreshenedpaint，andtoparticipateinthecheerfulnessofthepeople。Therichleft，theirdoorsopen;thecityresoundedwiththenoiseofthetimbrels;
　　thetempleswereilluminatedeverynight，andtheservantsofthe，goddesswentdowntoMalquaandsetupstagesofsycamore-woodatthe，cornersofthecross-ways，andprostitutedthemselvesthere。Lands，werevotedtotheconquerors，holocauststoMelkarth，threehundred，goldcrownstotheSuffet，andhispartisansproposedtodecreetohim，newprerogativesandhonours。
　　HehadbeggedtheAncientstomakeoverturestoAutaritusfor，exchangingalltheBarbarians，ifnecessary，fortheagedGisco，and，theotherCarthaginiansdetainedlikehim。TheLibyansandNomads，composingthearmyunderAutaritusknewscarcelyanythingofthese，Mercenaries，whoweremenofItalioteorGreekrace;andtheofferby，theRepublicofsomanyBarbariansforsofewCarthaginians，showed，thatthevalueoftheformerwasnothingandthatofthelatter，considerable。Theydreadedasnare。Autaritusrefused。
　　ThentheAncientsdecreedtheexecutionofthecaptives，althoughthe，Suffethadwrittentothemnottoputthemtodeath。Hereckonedupon，incorporatingthebestofthemwithhisowntroopsandofthus，instigatingdefections。Buthatredsweptawayallcircumspection。