Then four heralds, chosen for their width of chest, went out with

great clarions, and speaking through the brass tubes declared that
henceforth there would be between Carthaginians and Barbarians neither

faith, pity, nor gods, that they refused all overtures beforehand, and
that envoys would be sent back with their hands cut off.

Immediately afterwards, Spendius was sent to Hippo-Zarytus to procure
provisions; the Tyrian city sent them some the same evening. They ate

greedily. Then when they were strengthened they speedily collected the
remains of their baggage and their broken arms; the women massed

themselves in the centre, and heedless of the wounded left weeping
behind them, they set out along the edge of the shore like a herd of

wolves taking its departure.
They were marching upon Hippo-Zarytus, resolved to take it, for they

had need of a town.
Hamilcar, as he perceived them at a distance, had a feeling of despair

in spite of the pride which he experienced in seeing them fly before
him. He ought to have attacked them immediately with fresh troops.

Another similar day and the war was over! If matters were protracted
they would return with greater strength; the Tyrian towns would join

them; his clemency towards the vanquished had been of no avail. He
resolved to be pitiless.

The same evening he sent the Great Council a dromedary laden with
bracelets collected from the dead, and with horrible threats ordered

another army to be despatched.
All had for a long time believed him lost; so that on learning his

victory they felt a stupefaction which was almost terror. The vaguely
announced return of the zaimph completed the wonder. Thus the gods and

the might of Carthage seemed now to belong to him.
None of his enemies ventured upon complaint or recrimination. Owing to

the enthusiasm of some and the pusillanimity of the rest, an army of
five thousand men was ready before the interval prescribed had

elapsed.
This army promptly made its way to Utica in order to support the

Suffet's rear, while three thousand of the most notable citizens
embarked in vessels which were to land them at Hippo-Zarytus, whence

they were to drive back the Barbarians.
Hanno had accepted the command; but he intrusted the army to his

lieutenant, Magdassin, so as to lead the troops which were to be
disembarked himself, for he could no longer endure the shaking of the

litter. His disease had eaten away his lips and nostrils, and had
hollowed out a large hole in his face; the back of his throat could be

seen at a distance of ten paces, and he knew himself to be so hideous
that he wore a veil over his head like a woman.

Hippo-Zarytus paid no attention to his summonings nor yet to those of
the Barbarians; but every morning the inhabitants lowered provisions

to the latter in baskets, and shouting from the tops of the towers
pleaded the exigencies of the Republic and conjured them to withdraw.

By means of signs they addressed the same protestations to the
Carthaginians, who were stationed on the sea.

Hanno contented himself with blockading the harbour without risking an
attack. However, he permitted the judges of Hippo-Zarytus to admit

three hundred soldiers. Then he departed to the Cape Grapes, and made
a long circuit so as to hem in the Barbarians, an inopportune and even

dangerous operation. His jealousy prevented him from relieving the
Suffet; he arrested his spies, impeded him in all his plans, and

compromised the success of the enterprise. At last Hamilcar wrote to
the Great Council to rid himself of Hanno, and the latter returned to

Carthage furious at the baseness of the Ancients and the madness of
his colleague. Hence, after so many hopes, the situation was now still

more deplorable; but there was an effort not to reflect upon it and
even not to talk about it.

As if all this were not sufficient misfortune at one time, news came
that the Sardinian Mercenaries had crucified their general, seized the

strongholds, and everywhere slaughtered those of Chanaanitish race.
The Roman people threatened the Republic with immediate hostilities

unless she gave twelve hundred talents with the whole of the island of
Sardinia. They had accepted the alliance of the Barbarians, and they

despatched to them flat-bottomed boats laden with meal and dried meat.
The Carthaginians pursued these, and captured five hundred men; but

three days afterwards a fleet coming from Byzacena, and conveying
provisions to Carthage, foundered in a storm. The gods were evidently

declaring against her.
Upon this the citizens of Hippo-Zarytus, under pretence of an alarm,

made Hanno's three hundred men ascend their walls; then coming behind
them they took them by the legs, and suddenly threw them over the

ramparts. Some who were not killed were pursued, and went and drowned
themselves in the sea.

Utica was enduring the presence of soldiers, for Magdassin had acted
like Hanno, and in accordance with his orders and deaf to Hamilcar's

prayers, was surrounding the town. As for these, they were given wine
mixed with mandrake, and were then slaughtered in their sleep. At the

same time the Barbarians arrived; Magdassin fled; the gates were
opened, and thenceforward the two Tyrian towns displayed an obstinate

devotion to their new friends and an inconceivable hatred to their
former allies.

This abandonment of the Punic cause was a counsel and a precedent.
Hopes of deliverance revived. Populations hithertouncertain hesitated

no longer. Everywhere there was a stir. The Suffet learnt this, and he
had no assistance to look for! He was now irrevocably lost.

He immediately dismissed Narr' Havas, who was to guard the borders of
his kingdom. As for himself, he resolved to re-enter Carthage in order

to obtain soldiers and begin the war again.
The Barbarians posted at Hippo-Zarytus perceived his army as it

descended the mountain.
Where could the Carthaginians be going? Hunger, no doubt, was urging

them on; and, distracted by their sufferings, they were coming in
spite of their weakness to give battle. But they turned to the right:

they were fleeing. They might be overtaken and all be crushed. The
Barbarians dashed in pursuit of them.

The Carthaginians were checked by the river. It was wide this time and
the west wind had not been blowing. Some crossed by swimming, and the

rest on their shields. They resumed their march. Night fell. They were
out of sight.

The Barbarians did not stop; they went higher to find a narrower
place. The people of Tunis hastened thither, bringing those of Utica

along with them. Their numbers increased at every bush; and the
Carthaginians, as they lay on the ground, could hear the tramping of

their feet in the darkness. From time to time Barca had a volley of
arrows discharged behind him to check them, and several were killed.

When day broke they were in the Ariana Mountains, at the spot where
the road makes a bend.

Then Matho, who was marching at the head, thought that he could
distinguish something green on the horizon on the summit of an

eminence. Then the ground sank, and obelisks, domes, and houses
appeared! It was Carthage. He leaned against a tree to keep himself

from falling, so rapidly did his heart beat.
He thought of all that had come to pass in his existence since the

last time that he had passed that way! It was an infinite surprise, it
stunned him. Then he was transported with joy at the thought of seeing

Salammbo again. The reasons which he had for execrating her returned
to his recollection, but he very quickly rejected them. Quivering and

with straining eyeballs he gazed at the lofty terrace of a palace
above the palm trees beyond Eschmoun; a smile of ecstasy lighted his

face as if some great light had reached him; he opened his arms, and
sent kisses on the breeze, and murmured: "Come! come!" A sigh swelled

his breast, and two long tears like pearls fell upon his beard.
"What stays you?" cried Spendius. "Make haste! Forward! The Suffet is

going to escape us! But your knees are tottering, and you are looking
at me like a drunken man!"

He stamped with impatience and urged Matho, his eyes twinkling as at
the approach of an object long aimed at.