Theyformednumerousstraightlinesrestingagainstthewall，andthe，Mercenariesmountedtheminfiles，holdingtheirweaponsintheir，hands。NotaCarthaginianshowedhimself;alreadytwothirdsofthe，ramparthadbeencovered。Thenthebattlementsopened，vomitingflames，andsmokelikedragonjaws;thesandscatteredandenteredthejoints，oftheirarmour;thepetroleumfastenedontheirgarments;theliquid，leadhoppedontheirhelmetsandmadeholesintheirflesh;arainof，sparkssplashedagainsttheirfaces，andeyelessorbitsseemedtoweep，tearsasbigasalmonds。Thereweremenallyellowwithoil，with，theirhairinflames。Theybegantorunandsetfiretotherest。They，wereextinguishedinmantlessteepedinblood，whichwerethrownfrom，adistanceovertheirfaces。Somewhohadnowoundsremained，motionless，stifferthanstakes，theirmouthsopenandtheirarms，outspread。
Theassaultwasrenewedforseveraldaysinsuccession，the，Mercenarieshopingtotriumphbyextraordinaryenergyandaudacity。
Sometimesamanraisedontheshouldersofanotherwoulddriveapin，betweenthestones，andthenmakinguseofitasasteptoreach，further，wouldplaceasecondandathird;and，protectedbytheedge，ofthebattlements，whichstoodoutfromthewall，theywould，graduallyraisethemselvesinthisway;butonreachingacertain，heighttheyalwaysfellbackagain。Thegreattrenchwasfullto，overflowing;thewoundedweremassedpell-mellwiththedeadanddying，beneaththefootstepsoftheliving。Calcinedtrunksformedblack，spotsamidopenedentrails，scatteredbrains，andpoolsofblood;and，armsandlegsprojectinghalfwayoutofaheap，wouldstandstraight，uplikepropsinaburningvineyard。
Theladdersprovinginsufficientthetollenoswerebroughtinto，requisition，——instrumentsconsistingofalongbeamsettransversely，uponanother，andbearingatitsextremityaquadrangularbasketwhich，wouldholdthirtyfoot-soldierswiththeirweapons。
Mathowishedtoascendinthefirstthatwasready。Spendiusstopped，him。
Somemenbentoveracapstan;thegreatbeamrose，becamehorizontal，reareditselfalmostvertically，andbeingoverweightedattheend，bentlikeahugereed。Thesoldiers，whowerecrowdedtogether，were，hiddenuptotheirchins;onlytheirhelmet-plumescouldbeseen。At，lastwhenitwastwentycubitshighintheairitturnedseveraltimes，totherightandtotheleft，andthenwasdepressed;andlikeagiant，armholdingacohortofpigmiesinitshand，itlaidthebasketfulof，menupontheedgeofthewall。Theyleapedintothecrowdandnever，returned。
Alltheothertollenoswerespeedilymadeready。Butahundredtimes，asmanywouldhavebeenneededforthecaptureofthetown。Theywere，utilisedinamurderousfashion：Ethiopianarcherswereplacedinthe，baskets;then，thecableshavingbeenfastened，theyremained，suspendedandshotpoisonedarrows。Thefiftytollenoscommandingthe，battlementsthussurroundedCarthagelikemonstrousvultures;andthe，Negroeslaughedtoseetheguardsontherampartdyingingrievous，convulsions。
Hamilcarsenthoplitestotheseposts，andeverymorningmadethem，drinkthejuiceofcertainherbswhichprotectedthemagainstthe，poison。
Oneeveningwhenitwasdarkheembarkedthebestofhissoldierson，lightersandplanks，andturningtotherightoftheharbour，disembarkedontheTaenia。Thenheadvancedtothefirstlinesofthe，Barbarians，andtakingtheminflank，madeagreatslaughter。Men，hangingtoropeswoulddescendatnightfromthetopofthewallwith，torchesintheirhands，burntheworksoftheMercenaries，andthen，mountupagain。
Mathowasexasperated;everyobstaclestrengthenedhiswrath，which，ledhimintoterribleextravagances。HementallysummonedSalammboto，aninterview;thenhewaited。Shedidnotcome;thisseemedtohim，likeafreshpieceoftreachery，——andhenceforthheexecratedher。If，hehadseenhercorpsehewouldperhapshavegoneaway。Hedoubledthe，outposts，heplantedforksatthefootoftherampart，hedrove，caltropsintotheground，andhecommandedtheLibyanstobringhima，wholeforestthathemightsetitonfireandburnCarthagelikeaden，offoxes。
Spendiuswentonobstinatelywiththesiege。Hesoughttoinvent，terriblemachinessuchashadneverbeforebeenconstructed。
TheotherBarbarians，encampedatadistanceontheisthmus，were，amazedatthesedelays;theymurmured，andtheywereletloose。
Thentheyrushedwiththeircutlassesandjavelins，andbeatagainst，thegateswiththem。Butthenakednessoftheirbodiesfacilitating，theinflictionofwounds，theCarthaginiansmassacredthemfreely;and，theMercenariesrejoicedatit，nodoubtthroughjealousyaboutthe，plunder。Hencethereresultedquarrelsandcombatsbetweenthem。Then，thecountryhavingbeenravaged，provisionsweresoonscarce。They，grewdisheartened。Numeroushordeswentaway，butthecrowdwasso，greatthatthelosswasnotapparent。
Thebestofthemtriedtodigmines，buttheearth，beingbadly，supported，fellin。Theybeganagaininotherplaces，butHamilcar，alwaysguessedthedirectionthattheyweretakingbyholdinghisear，againstabronzeshield。Heboredcounter-minesbeneaththepathalong，whichthewoodentowersweretomove，andwhentheywerepushed，forwardtheysankintotheholes。
Atlastallrecognisedthatthetownwasimpregnable，unlessalong，terracewasraisedtothesameheightasthewalls，soastoenable，themtofightonthesamelevel。Thetopofitshouldbepavedsothat，themachinesmightberolledalong。ThenCarthagewouldfinditquite，impossibletoresist。
Thetownwasbeginningtosufferfromthirst。Thewaterwhichwas，worthtwokesitahsthebathattheopeningofthesiegewasnowsold，forashekelofsilver;thestoresofmeatandcornwerealsobecoming，exhausted;therewasadreadoffamine，andsomeevenbegantospeak，ofuselessmouths，whichterrifiedeveryone。
FromthesquareofKhamontothetempleofMelkarththestreetswere，cumberedwithcorpses;and，asitwastheendofthesummer，the，combatantswereannoyedbygreatblackflies。Oldmencarriedoffthe，wounded，andthedevoutcontinuedthefictitiousfuneralsfortheir，relativesandfriendswhohaddiedfarawayduringthewar。Waxen，statueswithclothesandhairweredisplayedacrossthegates。They，meltedintheheatofthetapersburningbesidethem;thepaintflowed，downupontheirshoulders，andtearsstreamedoverthefacesofthe，living，astheychantedmournfulsongsbesidethem。Thecrowd，meanwhilerantoandfro;armedbandspassed;captainsshoutedorders，whiletheshockoftheramsbeatingagainsttherampartwasconstantly，heard。
Thetemperaturebecamesoheavythatthebodiesswelledandwouldno，longerfitintothecoffins。Theywereburnedinthecentreofthe，courts。Butthefires，beingtoomuchconfined，kindledthe，neighbouringwalls，andlongflamessuddenlyburstfromthehouses，likebloodspurtingfromanartery。ThusMolochwasinpossessionof，Carthage;heclaspedtheramparts，herolledthroughthestreets，he，devouredtheverycorpses。
Menwearingcloaksmadeofcollectedragsintokenofdespair，stationedthemselvesatthecornersofthecross-ways。Theydeclaimed，againsttheAncientsandagainstHamilcar，predictedcompleteruinto，thepeople，andinvitedthemtouniversaldestructionandlicense。The，mostdangerouswerethehenbane-drinkers;intheircrisisthey，believedthemselveswildbeasts，andleapeduponthepassers-byto，rendthem。Mobsformedaroundthem，andthedefenceofCarthagewas，forgotten。TheSuffetdevisedthepaymentofotherstosupporthis，policy。
Inordertoretainthegeniusofthegodswithinthetowntheirimages，hadbeencoveredwithchains。BlackveilswereplaceduponthePataec，gods，andhair-clothsaroundthealtars;andattemptsweremadeto，excitetheprideandjealousyoftheBaalsbysingingintheirears：
“Thouartabouttosufferthyselftobevanquished！Aretheothers，perchancemorestrong？Showthyself！aidus！thatthepeoplesmaynot，say：’Wherearenowtheirgods？’“
Thecollegesofthepontiffswereagitatedbyunceasinganxiety。Those，ofRabbetnawereespeciallyafraid——therestorationofthezaimph，havingbeenofnoavail。Theykeptthemselvesshutupinthethird，enclosurewhichwasasimpregnableasafortress。Onlyoneamongthem，thehighpriestSchahabarim，venturedtogoout。
HeusedtovisitSalammbo。Buthewouldeitherremainperfectly，silent，gazingatherwithfixedeyeballs，orelsewouldbelavishof，words，andthereproachesthatheutteredwereharderthanever。
Withinconceivableinconsistencyhecouldnotforgivetheyounggirl，forcarryingouthiscommands;Schahabarimhadguessedall，andthis，hauntingthoughtrevivedthejealousiesofhisimpotence。Heaccused，herofbeingthecauseofthewar。Matho，accordingtohim，was，besiegingCarthagetorecoverthezaimph;andhepouredout，imprecationsandsarcasmsuponthisBarbarianwhopretendedtothe，possessionofholythings。Yetitwasnotthisthatthepriestwished，tosay。
ButjustnowSalammbofeltnoterrorofhim。Theanguishwhichshe，usedformerlytosufferhadlefther。Astrangepeacefulnesspossessed，her。Hergazewaslesswandering，andshonewithlimpidfire。
Meanwhilethepythonhadbecomeillagain;andasSalammbo，onthe，contrary，appearedtoberecovering，oldTaanachrejoicedinthe，convictionthatbyitsdeclineitwastakingawaythelanguorofher，mistress。
Onemorningshefounditcoiledupbehindthebedofox-hides，colder，thanmarble，andwithitsheadhiddenbyaheapofworms。Hercries，broughtSalammbotothespot。Sheturneditoverforawhilewiththe，tipofhersandal，andtheslavewasamazedatherinsensibility。
Hamilcar’sdaughternolongerprolongedherfastswithsomuch，fervour。Shepassedwholedaysonthetopofherterrace，leaningher，elbowsagainstthebalustrade，andamusingherselfbylookingout，beforeher。Thesummitsofthewallsattheendofthetowncutuneven，zigzagsuponthesky，andthelancesofthesentriesformedwhatwas，likeaborderofcorn-earsthroughouttheirlength。Furtherawayshe，couldseethemanoeuvresoftheBarbariansbetweenthetowers;ondays，whenthesiegewasinterruptedshecouldevendistinguishtheir，occupations。Theymendedtheirweapons，greasedtheirhair，andwashed，theirbloodstainedarmsinthesea;thetentswereclosed;thebeasts，ofburdenwerefeeding;andinthedistancethescythesofthe，chariots，whichwereallrangedinasemicircle，lookedlikeasilver，scimitarlyingatthebaseofthemountains。Schahabarim’stalk，recurredtohermemory。ShewaswaitingforNarr’Havas，her，betrothed。InspiteofherhatredshewouldhavelikedtoseeMatho，again。OfalltheCarthaginiansshewasperhapstheonlyonewhowould，havespokentohimwithoutfear。
Herfatheroftencameintoherroom。Hewouldsitdownpantingonthe，cushions，andgazeatherwithanalmosttenderlook，asifhefound，somerestfromherfatiguesinthesightofher。Hesometimes，questionedheraboutherjourneytothecampoftheMercenaries。He，evenaskedherwhetheranyonehadurgedhertoit;andwithashake，oftheheadsheanswered，No，——soproudwasSalammboofhavingsaved，thezaimph。
ButtheSuffetalwayscamebacktoMathounderpretenceofmaking，militaryinquiries。Hecouldnotunderstandhowthehourswhichshe，hadspentinthetenthadbeenemployed。Salammbo，infact，said，nothingaboutGisco;foraswordshadaneffectivepowerin，themselves，curses，ifreportedtoanyone，mightbeturnedagainst，him;andshewassilentaboutherwishtoassassinate，lestsheshould，beblamedfornothavingyieldedtoit。Shesaidthattheschalischim，appearedfurious，thathehadshoutedagreatdeal，andthathehad，thenfallenasleep。Salammbotoldnomore，throughshameperhaps，or，elsebecauseshewasledbyherextremeingenuousnesstoattachbut，littleimportancetothesoldier’skisses。Moreover，itallfloated，throughherheadinamelancholyandmistyfashion，likethe，recollectionofadepressingdream;andshewouldnothaveknownin，whatwayorinwhatwordstoexpressit。
Oneeveningwhentheywerethusfacetofacewitheachother，Taanach，cameinlookingquitescared。Anoldmanwithachildwasyonderin，thecourts，andwishedtoseetheSuffet。
Hamilcarturnedpale，andthenquicklyreplied：
“Lethimcomeup！”
Iddibalenteredwithoutprostratinghimself。Heheldayoungboy，coveredwithagoat’s-haircloak，bythehand，andatonceraisedthe，hoodwhichscreenedhisface。
“Hereheis，Master！Takehim！”
TheSuffetandtheslavewentintoacorneroftheroom。
Thechildremainedinthecentrestandingupright，andwithagazeof，attentionratherthanofastonishmenthesurveyedtheceiling，the，furniture，thepearlnecklacestrailingonthepurpledraperies，and，themajesticmaidenwhowasbendingovertowardshim。
Hewasperhapstenyearsold，andwasnottallerthanaRomansword。
Hiscurlyhairshadedhisswellingforehead。Hiseyeballslookedasif，theywereseekingforspace。Thenostrilsofhisdelicatenosewere，broadandpalpitating，anduponhiswholepersonwasdisplayedthe，indefinablesplendourofthosewhoaredestinedtogreatenterprises。
Whenhehadcastasidehisextremelyheavycloak，heremainedcladin，alynxskin，whichwasfastenedabouthiswaist，andherestedhis，littlenakedfeet，whichwereallwhitewithdust，resolutelyuponthe，pavement。Buthenodoubtdivinedthatimportantmatterswereunder，discussion，forhestoodmotionless，withonehandbehindhisback，hischinlowered，andafingerinhismouth。
AtlastHamilcarattractedSalammbowithasignandsaidtoherina，lowvoice：
“Youwillkeephimwithyou，youunderstand！Noone，eventhough，belongingtothehouse，mustknowofhisexistence！”
Then，behindthedoor，heagainaskedIddibalwhetherhewasquite，surethattheyhadnotbeennoticed。
“No！”saidtheslave，“thestreetswereempty。”
Asthewarfilledalltheprovinceshehadfearedforhismaster’s，son。Then，notknowingwheretohidehim，hehadcomealongthecoasts，inasloop，andforthreedaysIddibalhadbeentackingaboutinthe，gulfandwatchingtheramparts。Atlast，thatevening，astheenvirons，ofKhamonseemedtobedeserted，hehadpassedbrisklythroughthe，channelandlandednearthearsenal，theentrancetotheharbourbeing，free。
ButsoontheBarbarianspostedanimmenseraftinfrontofitinorder，topreventtheCarthaginiansfromcomingout。Theywereagainrearing，thewoodentowers，andtheterracewasrisingatthesametime。
Outsidecommunicationswerecutoffandanintolerablefaminesetin。
Thebesiegedkilledallthedogs，allthemules，alltheasses，and，thenthefifteenelephantswhichtheSuffethadbroughtback。The，lionsofthetempleofMolochhadbecomeferocious，andthehierodules，nolongerdurstapproachthem。Theywerefedatfirstwiththewounded，Barbarians;thentheywerethrowncorpsesthatwerestillwarm;they，refusedthem，andtheyalldied。Peoplewanderedinthetwilightalong，theoldenclosures，andgatheredgrassandflowersamongthestonesto，boiltheminwine，winebeingcheaperthanwater。Otherscreptasfar，astheenemy’soutposts，andenteredthetentstostealfood，andthe，stupefiedBarbarianssometimesallowedthemtoreturn。Atlastaday，arrivedwhentheAncientsresolvedtoslaughterthehorsesofEschmoun，privately。Theywereholyanimalswhosemaneswereplaitedbythe，pontiffswithgoldribbons，andwhoseexistencedenotedthemotionof，thesun——theideaoffireinitsmostexaltedform。Theirfleshwas，cutintoequalportionsandburiedbehindthealtar。Thenevery，eveningtheAncients，allegingsomeactofdevotion，wouldgoupto，thetempleandregalethemselvesinsecret，andeachwouldtakeawaya，piecebeneathhistunicforhischildren。Inthedesertedquarters，remotefromthewalls，theinhabitants，whosemiserywasnotsogreat，hadbarricadedthemselvesthroughfearoftherest。
Thestonesfromthecatapults，andthedemolitionscommandedfor，purposesofdefence，hadaccumulatedheapsofruinsinthemiddleof，thestreets。Atthequietesttimesmassesofpeoplewouldsuddenly，rushalongwithshouts;andfromthetopoftheAcropolisthe，conflagrationswerelikepurpleragsscatteredupontheterracesand，twistedbythewind。
Thethreegreatcatapultsdidnotstopinspiteofalltheseworks。
Theirravageswereextraordinary：thusaman’sheadreboundedfromthe，pedimentoftheSyssitia;awomanwhowasbeingconfinedinthestreet，ofKinisdowascrushedbyablockofmarble，andherchildwascarried，withthebedasfarasthecrosswaysofCinasyn，wherethecoverlet，wasfound。
Themostannoyingwerethebulletsoftheslingers。Theyfelluponthe，roofs，andinthegardens，andinthemiddleofthecourts，while，peoplewereattablebeforeaslendermealwiththeirheartsbigwith，sighs。Thesecruelprojectilesboreengravedletterswhichstamped，themselvesupontheflesh;——andinsultsmightbereadoncorpsessuch，as“pig，““jackal，““vermin，“andsometimesjests：“Catchit！”or“I
havewelldeservedit！”
Theportionoftherampartwhichextendedfromthecornerofthe，harbourstotheheightofthecisternswasbrokendown。Thenthe，peopleofMalquafoundthemselvescaughtbetweentheoldenclosureof，Byrsabehind，andtheBarbariansinfront。Buttherewasenoughtobe，doneinthickeningthewallandmakingitashighaspossiblewithout，troublingaboutthem;theywereabandoned;allperished;andalthough，theyweregenerallyhated，Hamilcarcametobegreatlyabhorred。
Onthemorrowheopenedthepitsinwhichhekeptstoresofcorn，and，hisstewardsgaveittothepeople。Forthreedaystheygorged，themselves。
Theirthirst，however，onlybecamethemoreintolerable，andthey，couldconstantlyseebeforethemthelongcascadeformedbytheclear，fallingwateroftheaqueduct。Athinvapour，witharainbowbeside，it，wentupfromitsbase，beneaththeraysofthesun，andalittle，streamcurvingthroughtheplainfellintothegulf。
Hamilcardidnotgiveway。Hewasreckoninguponanevent，upon，somethingdecisiveandextraordinary。
HisownslavestoreoffthesilverplatesfromthetempleofMelkarth;
fourlongboatsweredrawnoutoftheharbour，theywerebroughtby，meansofcapstanstothefootoftheMappalianquarter，thewall，facingtheshorewasbored，andtheysetoutfortheGaulstobuy，Mercenariesthereatnomatterwhatprice。Nevertheless，Hamilcarwas，distressedathisinabilitytocommunicatewiththekingofthe，Numidians，forheknewthathewasbehindtheBarbarians，andreadyto，falluponthem。ButNarr’Havas，beingtooweak，wasnotgoingtomake，anyventurealone;andtheSuffethadtherampartraisedtwelvepalms，higher，allthematerialinthearsenalspiledupintheAcropolis，andthemachinesrepairedoncemore。
Sinewstakenfrombulls’necks，orelsestags’hamstrings，were，commonlyemployedforthetwistsofthecatapults。However，neither，stagsnorbullswereinexistenceinCarthage。Hamilcaraskedthe，Ancientsforthehairoftheirwives;allsacrificedit，butthe，quantitywasnotsufficient。InthebuildingsoftheSyssitiathere，weretwelvehundredmarriageableslavesdestinedforprostitutionin，GreeceandItaly，andtheirhair，havingbeenrenderedelasticbythe，useofunguents，waswonderfullywelladaptedforenginesofwar。But，thesubsequentlosswouldbetoogreat。Accordinglyitwasdecided，thatachoiceshouldbemadeofthefinestheadsofhairamongthe，wivesoftheplebeians。Carelessoftheircountry’sneeds，they，shriekedindespairwhentheservantsoftheHundredcamewith，scissorstolayhandsuponthem。
TheBarbarianswereanimatedwithincreasedfury。Theycouldbeseen，inthedistancetakingfatfromthedeadtogreasetheirmachines，whileotherspulledoutthenailsandstitchedthemendtoendtomake，cuirasses。Theydevisedaplanofputtingintothecatapultsvessels，filledwithserpentswhichhadbeenbroughtbytheNegroes;theclay，potsbrokeontheflag-stones，theserpentsranabout，seemedto，multiply，and，sonumerouswerethey，toissuenaturallyfromthe，walls。ThentheBarbarians，notsatisfiedwiththeirinvention，improveduponit;theyhurledallkindsoffilth，humanexcrements，piecesofcarrion，corpses。Theplaguereappeared。Theteethofthe，Carthaginiansfelloutoftheirmouths，andtheirgumswere，discolouredlikethoseofcamelsaftertoolongajourney。
Themachinesweresetupontheterrace，althoughthelatterdidnot，asyetreacheverywheretotheheightoftherampart。Beforethe，twenty-threetowersonthefortificationstoodtwenty-threeothersof，wood。Allthetollenosweremountedagain，andinthecentre，alittle，furtherback，appearedtheformidablehelepolisofDemetrius，Poliorcetes，whichSpendiushadatlastreconstructed。Ofpyramidical，shape，likethepharosofAlexandria，itwasonehundredandthirty，cubitshighandtwenty-threewide，withninestories，diminishingas，theyapproachedthesummit，andprotectedbyscalesofbrass;they，werepiercedwithnumerousdoorsandwerefilledwithsoldiers，andon，theupperplatformtherestoodacatapultflankedbytwoballistas。
ThenHamilcarplantedcrossesforthosewhoshouldspeakofsurrender，andeventhewomenwerebrigaded。Thepeoplelayinthestreetsand，waitedfullofdistress。
Thenonemorningbeforesunrise(itwastheseventhdayofthemonth，ofNyssan)theyheardagreatshoututteredbyalltheBarbarians，simultaneously;theleaden-tubedtrumpetspealed，andthegreat，Paphlagonianhornsbellowedlikebulls。Allroseandrantothe，rampart。
Aforestoflances，pikes，andswordsbristledatitsbase。Itleaped，againstthewall，theladdersgrappledthem;andBarbarians’heads，appearedintheintervalsofthebattlements。
Beamssupportedbylongfilesofmenwerebatteringatthegates;and，inordertodemolishthewallatplaceswheretheterracewaswanting，theMercenariescameupinserriedcohorts，thefirstlinecrawling，thesecondbendingtheirhams，andtheothersrisinginsuccessionto，thelastwhostoodupright;whileelsewhere，inordertoclimbup，the，tallestadvancedinfrontandthelowestintherear，andallrested，theirshieldsupontheirhelmetswiththeirleftarms，joiningthem，togetherattheedgessotightlythattheymighthavebeentakenfor，anassemblageoflargetortoises。Theprojectilesslidoverthese，obliquemasses。
TheCarthaginiansthrewdownmill-stones，pestles，vats，casks，beds，everythingthatcouldserveasaweightandcouldknockdown。Some，watchedattheembrasureswithfisherman’snets，andwhenthe，Barbarianarrivedhefoundhimselfcaughtinthemeshes，andstruggled，likeafish。Theydemolishedtheirownbattlements;portionsofwall，felldownraisingagreatdust;andasthecatapultsontheterrace，wereshootingoveragainstoneanother，thestoneswouldstrike，togetherandshiverintoathousandpieces，makingacopiousshower，uponthecombatants。
Soonthetwocrowdsformedbutonegreatchainofhumanbodies;it，overflowedintotheintervalsintheterrace，and，somewhatlooserat，thetwoextremities，swayedperpetuallywithoutadvancing。They，claspedoneanother，lyingflatonthegroundlikewrestlers。They，crushedoneanother。Thewomenleanedoverthebattlementsand，shrieked。Theyweredraggedawaybytheirveils，andthewhitenessof，theirsuddenlyuncoveredsidesshoneinthearmsoftheNegroesasthe，latterburiedtheirdaggersinthem。Somecorpsesdidnotfall，being，toomuchpressedbythecrowd，and，supportedbytheshouldersof，theircompanions，advancedforsomeminutesquiteuprightandwith，staringeyes。Somewhohadbothtemplespiercedbyajavelinswayed，theirheadsaboutlikebears。Mouths，openedtoshout，remained，gaping;severedhandsflewthroughtheair。Mightyblowsweredealt，whichwerelongtalkedofbythesurvivors。
Meanwhilearrowsdartedfromthetowersofwoodandstone。The，tollenosmovedtheirlongyardsrapidly;andastheBarbarianshad，sackedtheoldcemeteryoftheaboriginesbeneaththeCatacombs，they，hurledthetombstonesagainsttheCarthaginians。Sometimesthecables，brokeundertheweightoftooheavybaskets，andmassesofmen，all，withupliftedarms，wouldfallfromthesky。
UptothemiddleofthedaytheveteranshadattackedtheTaenia，fiercelyinordertopenetrateintotheharbouranddestroythefleet。
HamilcarhadafireofdampstrawlitupontheroofingofKhamon，and，asthesmokeblindedthemtheyfellbacktoleft，andcametoswell，thehorribleroutwhichwaspressingforwardinMalqua。Some，syntagmatacomposedofsturdymen，chosenexpresslyforthepurpose，hadbrokeninthreegates。Theywerecheckedbyloftybarriersmadeof，planksstuddedwithnails，butafourthyieldedeasily;theydashed，overitatarunandrolledintoapitinwhichtherewerehidden，snares。Atthesouth-westgateAutaritusandhismenbrokedownthe，rampart，thefissureinwhichhadbeenstoppedupwithbricks。The，groundbehindrose，andtheyclimbeditnimbly。Butonthetopthey，foundasecondwallcomposedofstonesandlongbeamslyingquiteflat，andalternatinglikethesquaresonachess-board。ItwasaGaulish，fashion，andhadbeenadaptedbytheSuffettotherequirementsofthe，situation;theGaulsimaginedthemselvesbeforeatownintheirown，country。Theirattackwasweak，andtheywererepulsed。
Alltheroundway，fromthestreetofKhamonasfarastheGreen，Market，nowbelongedtotheBarbarians，andtheSamniteswere，finishingoffthedyingwithblowsofstakes;orelsewithonefooton，thewallweregazingdownatthesmokingruinsbeneaththem，andthe，battlewhichwasbeginningagaininthedistance。
Theslingers，whoweredistributedthroughtherear，werestill，shooting。ButthespringsoftheAcarnanianslingshadbrokenfrom，use，andmanywerethrowingstoneswiththehandlikeshepherds;the，resthurledleadenbulletswiththehandleofawhip。Zarxas，his，shoulderscoveredwithhislongblackhair，wentabouteverywhere，and，ledontheBarbarians。Twopoucheshungathiships;hethrusthis，lefthandintothemcontinually，whilehisrightarmwhirledround，likeachariot-wheel。
Mathohadatfirstrefrainedfromfighting，thebettertocommandthe，Barbariansallatonce。Hehadbeenseenalongthegulfwiththe，Mercenaries，nearthelagoonwiththeNumidians，andontheshoresof，thelakeamongtheNegroes，andfromthebackpartoftheplainhe，urgedforwardmassesofsoldierswhocameceaselesslyagainstthe，ramparts。Bydegreeshehaddrawnnear;thesmellofblood，thesight，ofcarnage，andthetumultofclarionshadatlastmadehisheart，leap。Thenhehadgonebackintohistent，andthrowingoffhis，cuirasshadtakenhislion’sskinasbeingmoreconvenientforbattle。
Thesnoutfitteduponhishead，borderinghisfacewithacircleof，fangs;thetwofore-pawswerecrosseduponhisbreast，andtheclaws，ofthehinderonesfellbeneathhisknees。
Hehadkeptonhisstrongwaist-belt，whereingleamedatwo-edgedaxe，andwithhisgreatswordinbothhandshehaddashedimpetuously，throughthebreach。Likeaprunercuttingwillow-branchesandtrying，tostrikeoffasmuchaspossiblesoastomakethemoremoney，he，marchedalongmowingdowntheCarthaginiansaroundhim。Thosewho，triedtoseizehiminflankheknockeddownwithblowsofthepommel;
whentheyattackedhiminfrontheranthemthrough;iftheyfledhe，clovethem。Twomenleapedtogetheruponhisback;hebounded，backwardsagainstagateandcrushedthem。Hisswordfellandrose。It，shiveredontheangleofawall。Thenhetookhisheavyaxe，andfront，andrearherippeduptheCarthaginianslikeaflockofsheep。They，scatteredmoreandmore，andhewasquitealonewhenhereachedthe，secondenclosureatthefootoftheAcropolis。Thematerialswhichhad，beenflungfromthesummitcumberedthestepsandwereheapedup，higherthanthewall。Mathoturnedbackamidtheruinstosummonshis，companions。
Heperceivedtheircrestsscatteredoverthemultitude;theywere，sinkingandtheirwearerswereabouttoperish;hedashedtowards，them;thenthevastwreathofredplumesclosedin，andtheysoon，rejoinedhimandsurroundedhim。Butanenormouscrowdwasdischarging，fromthesidestreets。Hewascaughtbythehips，liftedupand，carriedawayoutsidetherampartstoaspotwheretheterracewas，high。
Mathoshoutedacommandandalltheshieldssankuponthehelmets;he，leapedupontheminordertocatchholdsomewheresoastore-enter，Carthage;and，flourishinghisterribleaxe，ranovertheshields，whichresembledwavesofbronze，likeamarinegod，withbrandished，trident，overhisbillows。
However，amaninawhiterobewaswalkingalongtheedgeofthe，rampart，impassible，andindifferenttothedeathwhichsurrounded，him。Sometimeshewouldspreadouthisrighthandabovehiseyesin，ordertofindoutsomeone。Mathohappenedtopassbeneathhim。
Suddenlyhiseyeballsflamed，hislividfacecontracted;andraising，bothhisleanarmsheshoutedoutabuseathim。
Mathodidnothearit;buthefeltsofuriousandcruelalook，enteringhisheartthatheutteredaroar。Hehurledhislongaxeat，him;somepeoplethrewthemselvesuponSchahabarim;andMathoseeing，himnomorefellbackexhausted。
Aterriblecreakingdrewnear，mingledwiththerhythmofhoarse，voicessingingtogether。
Itwasthegreathelepolissurroundedbyacrowdofsoldiers。They，weredraggingitwithbothhands，haulingitwithropes，andpushing，itwiththeirshoulders，——forthesloperisingfromtheplaintothe，terrace，althoughextremelygentle，wasfoundimpracticablefor，machinesofsuchprodigiousweight。However，ithadeightwheels，bandedwithiron，andithadbeenadvancingslowlyinthiswaysince，themorning，likeamountainraiseduponanother。Thenthereappeared，animmenseramissuingfromitsbase。Thedoorsalongthethreefronts，whichfacedthetownfelldown，andcuirassedsoldiersappearedinthe，interiorlikepillarsofiron。Somemightbeseenclimbingand，descendingthetwostaircaseswhichcrossedthestories。Somewere，waitingtodartoutassoonasthecrampsofthedoorstouchedthe，walls;inthemiddleoftheupperplatformtheskeinsoftheballistas，wereturning，andthegreatbeamofthecatapultwasbeinglowered。
HamilcarwasatthatmomentstandinguprightontheroofofMelkarth。
Hehadcalculatedthatitwouldcomedirectlytowardshim，against，whatwasthemostinvulnerableplaceinthewall，whichwasforthat，veryreasondenudedofsentries。Hisslaveshadforalongtimebeen，bringingleathernbottlesalongtheroundway，wheretheyhadraised，withclaytwotransversepartitionsformingasortofbasin。Thewater，wasflowinginsensiblyalongtheterrace，andstrangetosay，it，seemedtocauseHamilcarnoanxiety。
Butwhenthehelepoliswasthirtypacesoff，hecommandedplankstobe，placedoverthestreetsbetweenthehousesfromthecisternstothe，rampart;andafileofpeoplepassedfromhandtohandhelmetsand，amphoras，whichwereemptiedcontinually。TheCarthaginians，however，grewindignantatthiswasteofwater。Theramwasdemolishingthe，wall，whensuddenlyafountainsprangforthfromthedisjointed，stones。Thentheloftybrazenmass，ninestorieshigh，whichcontained，andengagedmorethanthreethousandsoldiers，begantorockgently，likeaship。Infact，thewater，whichhadpenetratedtheterrace，had，brokenupthepathbeforeit;itswheelsstuckinthemire;thehead，ofSpendius，withdistendedcheeksblowinganivorycornet，appeared，betweenleatherncurtainsonthefirststory。Thegreatmachine，as，thoughconvulsivelyupheaved，advancedperhapstenpaces;butthe，groundsoftenedmoreandmore，themirereachedtotheaxles，andthe，helepolisstopped，leaningoverfrightfullytooneside。Thecatapult，rolledtotheedgeoftheplatform，andcarriedawaybytheweightof，itsbeam，fell，shatteringthelowerstoriesbeneathit。Thesoldiers，whowerestandingonthedoorsslippedintotheabyss，orelseheldon，totheextremitiesofthelongbeams，andbytheirweightincreased，theinclinationofthehelepolis，whichwasgoingtopieceswith，creakingsinallitsjoints。
TheotherBarbariansrusheduptohelpthem，massingthemselvesintoa，compactcrowd。TheCarthaginiansdescendedfromtherampart，and，assailingthemintherear，killedthematleisure。Butthechariots，furnishedwithsickleshastenedup，andgallopedroundtheoutskirts，ofthemultitude。Thelatterascendedthewallagain;nightcameon;
andtheBarbariansgraduallyretired。
Nothingcouldnowbeseenontheplainbutasortofperfectlyblack，swarmingmass，whichextendedfromthebluishgulftothepurelywhite，lagoon;andthelake，whichhadreceivedstreamsofblood，stretched，furtherawaylikeagreatpurplepool。
Theterracewasnowsoladenwithcorpsesthatitlookedasthoughit，hadbeenconstructedofhumanbodies。Inthecentrestoodthe，helepoliscoveredwitharmour;andfromtimetotimehugefragments，brokeofffromit，likestonesfromacrumblingpyramid。Broadtracks，madebythestreamsofleadmightbedistinguishedonthewalls。A
broken-downwoodentowerburnedhereandthere，andthehousesshowed，dimlylikethestagesofaruinedampitheatre。Heavyfumesofsmoke，wererising，androllingwiththemsparkswhichwerelostinthedark，sky。
TheCarthaginians，however，whowereconsumedbythirst，hadrushedto，thecisterns。Theybrokeopenthedoors。Amiryswampstretchedatthe，bottom。
Whatwastobedonenow？Moreover，theBarbarianswerecountless，and，whentheirfatiguewasovertheywouldbeginagain。
Thepeopledeliberatedallnightingroupsatthecornersofthe，streets。Somesaidthattheyoughttosendawaythewomen，thesick，andtheoldmen;othersproposedtoabandonthetown，andfounda，colonyfaraway。Butvesselswerelacking，andwhenthesunappeared，nodecisionhadbeenmade。
Therewasnofightingthatday，allbeingtoomuchexhausted。The，sleeperslookedlikecorpses。
ThentheCarthaginians，reflectinguponthecauseoftheirdisasters，rememberedthattheyhadnotdispatchedtoPhoeniciatheannual，offeringduetoTyrianMelkarth，andagreatterrorcameuponthem。
ThegodswereindignantwiththeRepublic，andwere，nodoubt，about，toprosecutetheirvengeance。
Theywereconsideredascruelmasters，whowereappeasedwith，supplicationsandallowedthemselvestobebribedwithpresents。All，werefeebleincomparisonwithMolochtheDevourer。Theexistence，the，veryfleshofmen，belongedtohim;andhenceinordertopreserveit，theCarthaginiansusedtoofferupaportionofittohim，which，calmedhisfury。Childrenwereburnedontheforehead，oronthenape，oftheneck，withwoollenwicks;andasthismodeofsatisfyingBaal，broughtinmuchmoneytothepriests，theyfailednottorecommendit，asbeingeasierandmorepleasant。
Thistime，however，theRepublicitselfwasatstake。Butasevery，profitmustbepurchasedbysomeloss，andaseverytransactionwas，regulatedaccordingtotheneedsoftheweakerandthedemandsofthe，stronger，therewasnopaingreatenoughforthegod，sincehe，delightedinsuchaswasofthemosthorribledescription，andall，werenowathismercy。Hemustaccordinglybefullygratified。
Precedentsshowedthatinthiswaythescourgewouldbemadeto，disappear。Moreover，itwasbelievedthatanimmolationbyfirewould，purifyCarthage。Theferocityofthepeoplewaspredisposedtowards，it。Thechoice，too，mustfallexclusivelyuponthefamiliesofthe，great。
TheAncientsassembled。Thesittingwasalongone。Hannohadcometo，it。Ashewasnowunabletositheremainedlyingdownnearthedoor，halfhiddenamongthefringesoftheloftytapestry;andwhenthe，pontiffofMolochaskedthemwhethertheywouldconsenttosurrender，theirchildren，hisvoicesuddenlybrokeforthfromtheshadowlike，theroaringofageniusinthedepthsofacavern。Heregretted，he，said，thathehadnoneofhisownbloodtogive;andhegazedat，Hamilcar，whofacedhimattheotherendofthehall。TheSuffetwas，somuchdisconcertedbythislookthatitmadehimlowerhiseyes。All，successivelybenttheirheadsinapproval;andinaccordancewiththe，riteshehadtoreplytothehighpriest：“Yes;beitso。”Thenthe，Ancientsdecreedthesacrificeintraditionalcircumlocution，——because，therearethingsmoretroublesometosaythantoperform。
ThedecisionwasalmostimmediatelyknowninCarthage，and，lamentationsresounded。Thecriesofwomenmighteverywherebeheard;
theirhusbandsconsoledthem，orrailedatthemwithremonstrances。
Butthreehoursafterwardsextraordinarytidingswerespreadabroad：
theSuffethaddiscoveredspringsatthefootofthecliff。Therewas，arushtotheplace。Watermightbeseeninholesduginthesand，and，somewerealreadylyingflatonthegroundanddrinking。
Hamilcardidnothimselfknowwhetheritwasbythedeterminationof，thegodsorthroughthevaguerecollectionofarevelationwhichhis，fatherhadoncemadetohim;butonleavingtheAncientshehadgone，downtotheshoreandhadbeguntodigthegravelwithhisslaves。
Hegaveclothing，boots，andwine。Hegavealltherestofthecorn，thathewaskeepingbyhim。Heevenletthecrowdenterhispalace，andheopenedkitchens，stores，andalltherooms，——Salammbo’salone，excepted。HeannouncedthatsixthousandGaulishMercenarieswere，coming，andthatthekingofMacedoniawassendingsoldiers。
Butontheseconddaythespringsdiminished，andontheeveningof，thethirdtheywerecompletelydriedup。Thenthedecreeofthe，Ancientspassedeverywherefromliptolip，andthepriestsofMoloch，begantheirtask。
Meninblackrobespresentedthemselvesinthehouses。Inmany，instancestheownershaddesertedthemunderpretenceofsome，business，orofsomedaintythattheyweregoingtobuy;andthe，servantsofMolochcameandtookthechildrenaway。Othersthemselves，surrenderedthemstupidly。Thentheywerebroughttothetempleof，Tanith，wherethepriestesseswerechargedwiththeiramusementand，supportuntilthesolemnday。
TheyvisitedHamilcarsuddenlyandfoundhiminhisgardens。
“Barca！wecomeforthatthatyouknowof——yourson！”Theyaddedthat，somepeoplehadmethimoneeveningduringthepreviousmooninthe，centreoftheMappaliandistrictbeingledbyanoldman。
Hewasasthoughsuffocatedatfirst。Butspeedilyunderstandingthat，anydenialwouldbeinvain，Hamilcarbowed;andhebroughttheminto，thecommercialhouse。Someslaveswhohadrunupatasignkeptwatch，allroundaboutit。
HeenteredSalammbo’sroominastateofdistraction。Heseized，Hannibalwithonehand，snatchedupthecordofatrailinggarment，withtheother，tiedhisfeetandhandswithit，thrusttheendinto，hismouthtoformagag，andhidhimunderthebedoftheox-hidesby，lettinganampledraperyfalltotheground。
Afterwardshewalkedaboutfromrighttoleft，raisedhisarms，wheeledround，bithislips。Thenhestoodstillwithstaringeyelids，andpantedasthoughhewereabouttodie。
Butheclappedhishandsthreetimes。Giddenemappeared。
“Listen！”hesaid，“goandtakefromamongtheslavesamalechild，fromeighttonineyearsofage，withblackhairandswelling，forehead！Bringhimhere！makehaste！”
Giddenemsoonenteredagain，bringingforwardayoungboy。
Hewasamiserablechild，atonceleanandbloated;hisskinlooked，greyish，liketheinfectedraghangingtohissides;hisheadwassunk，betweenhisshoulders，andwiththebackofhishandhewasrubbing，hiseyes，whichwerefilledwithflies。
HowcouldheeverbeconfoundedwithHannibal！andtherewasnotime，tochooseanother。HamilcarlookedatGiddenem;hefeltinclinedto，stranglehim。
“Begone！”hecried;andthemasteroftheslavesfled。
Themisfortunewhichhehadsolongdreadedwasthereforecome，and，withextravaganteffortshestrovetodiscoverwhethertherewasnot，somemode，somemeanstoescapeit。
Abdalonimsuddenlyspokefrombehindthedoor。TheSuffetwasbeing，askedfor。TheservantsofMolochweregrowingimpatient。
Hamilcarrepressedacryasthougharedhotironhadburnthim;and，hebegananewtopacetheroomlikeonedistraught。Thenhesankdown，besidethebalustrade，and，withhiselbowsonhisknees，pressedhis，foreheadintohisshutfists。
TheporphyrybasinstillcontainedalittleclearwaterforSalammbo’s，ablutions。Inspiteofhisrepugnanceandallhispride，theSuffet，dippedthechildintoit，and，likeaslavemerchant，begantowash，himandrubhimwithstrigilsandredearth。Thenhetooktwopurple，squaresfromthereceptaclesroundthewall，placedoneonhisbreast，andtheotheronhisback，andjoinedthemtogetheronthecollar，boneswithtwodiamondclasps。Hepouredperfumeuponhishead，passed，anelectrumnecklacearoundhisneck，andputonhimsandalswith，heelsofpearl，——sandalsbelongingtohisowndaughter！Buthestamped，withshameandvexation;Salammbo，whobusiedherselfinhelpinghim，wasaspaleashe。Thechild，dazzledbysuchsplendour，smiledand，growingboldeven，wasbeginningtoclaphishandsandjump，when，Hamilcartookhimaway。
Heheldhimfirmlybythearmasthoughhewereafraidoflosinghim，andthechild，whowashurt，weptalittleasheranbesidehim。
Whenonalevelwiththeergastulum，underapalmtree，avoicewas，raised，amournfulandsupplicantvoice。Itmurmured：“Master！oh！
master！”
Hamilcarturnedandbesidehimperceivedamanofabjectappearance，oneofthewretcheswholedahaphazardexistenceinthehousehold。
“Whatdoyouwant？”saidtheSuffet。
Theslave，whotrembledhorribly，stammered：
“Iamhisfather！”
Hamilcarwalkedon;theotherfollowedhimwithstoopingloins，bent，hams，andheadthrustforward。Hisfacewasconvulsedwithunspeakable，anguish，andhewaschokingwithsuppressedsobs，soeagerwasheat，oncetoquestionhim，andtocry：“Mercy！”
Atlastheventuredtotouchhimlightlywithonefingerontheelbow。
“Areyougoingto——？”Hehadnotthestrengthtofinish，andHamilcar，stoppedquiteamazedatsuchgrief。
Hehadneverthought——soimmensewastheabyssseparatingthemfrom，eachother——thattherecouldbeanythingincommonbetweenthem。It，evenappearedtohimasortofoutrage，anencroachmentuponhisown，privileges。Herepliedwithalookcolderandheavierthanan，executioner’saxe;theslaveswoonedandfellinthedustathisfeet。
Hamilcarstrodeacrosshim。
Thethreeblack-robedmenwerewaitinginthegreathall，andstanding，againstthestonedisc。Immediatelyhetorehisgarments，androlled，uponthepavementutteringpiercingcries。
“Ah！poorlittleHannibal！Oh！myson！myconsolation！myhope！my，life！Killmealso！takemeaway！Woe！Woe！”Heploughedhisfacewith，hisnails，toreouthishair，andshriekedlikethewomenwholament，atfunerals。“Takehimawaythen！mysufferingistoogreat！begone！
killmelikehim！”TheservantsofMolochwereastonishedthatthe，greatHamilcarwassoweak-spirited。Theywerealmostmovedbyit。
Anoiseofnakedfeetbecameaudible，withabrokenthroat-rattling，likethebreathingofawildbeastspeedingalong，andaman，pale，terrible，andwithoutspreadarmsappearedonthethresholdofthe，thirdgallery，betweentheivorypots;heexclaimed：
“Mychild！”
Hamilcarthrewhimselfwithaboundupontheslave，andcoveringthe，man’smouthwithhishandexclaimedstillmoreloudly：
“Itistheoldmanwhorearedhim！hecallshim’mychild！’itwill，makehimmad！enough！enough！”Andhustlingawaythethreepriestsand，theirvictimhewentoutwiththemandwithagreatkickshutthedoor，behindhim。
Hamilcarstrainedhisearsforsomeminutesinconstantfearofseeing，themreturn。Hethenthoughtofgettingridoftheslaveinorderto，bequitesurethathewouldseenothing;buttheperilhadnotwholly，disappeared，and，ifthegodswereprovokedattheman’sdeath，it，mightbeturnedagainsthisson。Then，changinghisintention，hesent，himbyTaanachthebestfromhiskitchens——aquarterofagoat，beans，andpreservedpomegranates。Theslave，whohadeatennothingfora，longtime，rusheduponthem;histearsfellintothedishes。
HamilcaratlastreturnedtoSalammbo，andunfastenedHannibal’s，cords。Thechildinexasperationbithishanduntilthebloodcame。He，repelledhimwithacaress。
TomakehimremainquietSalammbotriedtofrightenhimwithLamia，a，Cyrenianogress。
“Butwhereisshe？”heasked。
Hewastoldthatbrigandswerecomingtoputhimintoprison。“Let，themcome，“herejoined，“andIwillkillthem！”
ThenHamilcartoldhimthefrightfultruth。Buthefellintoapassion，withhisfather，contendingthathewasquiteabletoannihilatethe，wholepeople，sincehewasthemasterofCarthage。
Atlast，exhaustedbyhisexertionsandanger，hefellintoawild，sleep。Hespokeinhisdreams，hisbackleaningagainstascarlet，cushion;hisheadwasthrownbacksomewhat，andhislittlearm，outstretchedfromhisbody，layquitestraightinanattitudeof，command。
WhenthenighthadgrowndarkHamilcarliftedhimupgently，and，withoutatorch，wentdownthegalleystaircase。Ashepassedthrough，themercantilehousehetookupabasketofgrapesandaflagonof，purewater;thechildawokebeforethestatueofAletesinthevault，ofgems，andhesmiled——liketheother——onhisfather’sarmatthe，brilliantlightswhichsurroundedhim。
Hamilcarfeltquitesurethathissoncouldnotbetakenfromhim。It，wasanimpenetrablespotcommunicatingwiththebeachbya，subterraneanpassagewhichhealoneknew，andcastinghiseyesaround，heinhaledagreatdraughtofair。Thenhesethimdownuponastool，besidesomegoldenshields。Nooneatpresentcouldseehim;hehadno，furtherneedforwatching;andherelievedhisfeelings。Likeamother，findingherfirst-bornthatwaslost，hethrewhimselfuponhisson;
heclaspedhimtohisbreast，helaughedandweptatthesametime，he，calledhimbythefondestnamesandcoveredhimwithkisses;little，Hannibalwasfrightenedbythisterribletendernessandwassilent，now。
Hamilcarreturnedwithsilentsteps，feelingthewallsaroundhim，and，cameintothegreathallwherethemoonlightenteredthroughoneof，theaperturesinthedome;inthecentretheslavelaysleepingafter，hisrepast，stretchedatfulllengthuponthemarblepavement。He，lookedathimandwasmovedwithasortofpity。Withthetipofhis，cothurnhepushedforwardacarpetbeneathhishead。Thenheraised，hiseyesandgazedatTanith，whoseslendercrescentwasshiningin，thesky，andfelthimselfstrongerthantheBaalsandfullofcontempt，forthem。
Thearrangementsforthesacrificewerealreadybegun。
PartofawallinthetempleofMolochwasthrowndowninorderto，drawoutthebrazengodwithouttouchingtheashesofthealtar。Then，assoonasthesunappearedthehierodulespushedittowardsthe，squareofKhamon。
Itmovedbackwardsslidinguponcylinders;itsshouldersoverlapped，thewalls。NosoonerdidtheCarthaginiansperceiveitinthedistance，thantheyspeedilytooktoflight，fortheBaalcouldbelookedupon，withimpunityonlywhenexercisinghiswrath。
Asmellofaromaticsspreadthroughthestreets。Allthetempleshad，justbeenopenedsimultaneously，andfromthemtherecameforth，tabernaclesborneuponchariots，oruponlitterscarriedbythe，pontiffs。Greatplumesswayedatthecornersofthem，andrayswere，emittedfromtheirslenderpinnacleswhichterminatedinballsof，crystal，gold，silverorcopper。
TheseweretheChanaanitishBaalim，offshootsofthesupremeBaal，who，werereturningtotheirfirstcausetohumblethemselvesbeforehis，mightandannihilatethemselvesinhissplendour。
Melkarth’spavilion，whichwasoffinepurple，shelteredapetroleum，flare;onKhamon’s，whichwasofhyacinthcolour，thereroseanivory，phallusborderedwithacircleofgems;betweenEschmoun’scurtains，whichwereasblueastheether，asleepingpythonformedacircle，withhistail，andthePataecgods，heldinthearmsoftheirpriests，lookedlikegreatinfantsinswaddlingclotheswiththeirheels，touchingtheground。
ThencamealltheinferiorformsoftheDivinity：Baal-Samin，godof，celestialspace;Baal-Peor，godofthesacredmountains;Baal-Zeboub，godofcorruption，withthoseoftheneighbouringcountriesand，congenerousraces：theIarbalofLibya，theAdramelechofChaldaea，theKijunoftheSyrians;Derceto，withhervirgin’sface，crepton，herfins，andthecorpseofTammouzwasdrawnalonginthemidstofa，catafalqueamongtorchesandheadsofhair。Inordertosubduethe，kingsofthefirmamenttotheSun，andpreventtheirparticular，influencesfromdisturbinghis，diverselycolouredmetalstarswere，brandishedattheendoflongpoles;andallwerethere，fromthedark，Neblo，thegeniusofMercury，tothehideousRahab，whichisthe，constellationoftheCrocodile。TheAbbadirs，stoneswhichhadfallen，fromthemoon，werewhirlinginslingsofsilverthread;little，loaves，representingthefemaleform，werebornonbasketsbythe，priestsofCeres;othersbroughttheirfetishesandamulets;forgotten，idolsreappeared，whilethemysticsymbolshadbeentakenfromthe，veryshipsasthoughCarthagewishedtoconcentrateherselfwholly，uponasinglethoughtofdeathanddesolation。
Beforeeachtabernacleamanbalancedalargevaseofsmokingincense，onhishead。Cloudshoveredhereandthere，andthehangings，pendants，andembroideriesofthesacredpavilionsmightbe，distinguishedamidthethickvapours。Theseadvancedslowlyowingto，theirenormousweight。Sometimestheaxlesbecamefastinthestreets;
thenthepioustookadvantageoftheopportunitytotouchtheBaalim，withtheirgarments，whichtheypreservedafterwardsasholythings。
ThebrazenstatuecontinuedtoadvancetowardsthesquareofKhamon。
Therich，carryingsceptreswithemeraldballs，setoutfromthe，bottomofMegara;theAncients，withdiademsontheirheads，had，assembledinKinisdo，andmastersofthefinances，governorsof，provinces，sailors，andthenumeroushordeemployedatfunerals，all，withtheinsigniaoftheirmagistraciesortheinstrumentsoftheir，calling，weremakingtheirwaytowardsthetabernacleswhichwere，descendingfromtheAcropolisbetweenthecollegesofthepontiffs。
OutofdeferencetoMolochtheyhadadornedthemselveswiththemost，splendidjewels。Diamondssparkledontheirblackgarments;buttheir，ringsweretoolargeandfellfromtheirwastedhands，——norcould，therehavebeenanythingsomournfulasthissilentcrowdwhere，earringstappedagainstpalefaces，andgoldtiarasclaspedbrows，contractedwithsterndespair。
AtlasttheBaalarrivedexactlyinthecentreofthesquare。His，pontiffsarrangedanenclosurewithtrellis-worktokeepoffthe，multitude，andremainedaroundhimathisfeet。
ThepriestsofKhamon，intawnywoollenrobes，formedalinebefore，theirtemplebeneaththecolumnsoftheportico;thoseofEschmoun，in，linenmantleswithnecklacesofkoukouphas’headsandpointedtiaras，postedthemselvesonthestepsoftheAcropolis;thepriestsof，Melkarth，inviolettunics，tookthewesternside;thepriestsofthe，Abbadirs，claspedwithbandsofPhrygianstuffs，placedthemselveson，theeast，whiletowardsthesouth，withthenecromancersallcovered，withtattooings，andtheshriekersinpatchedcloaks，wererangedthe，curatesofthePataecgods，andtheYidonim，whoputtheboneofa，deadmanintotheirmouthstolearnthefuture。ThepriestsofCeres，whoweredressedinbluerobes，hadprudentlystoppedinthestreetof，Satheb，andinlowtoneswerechantingathesmophorionintheMegarian，dialect。
Fromtimetotimefilesofmenarrived，completelynaked，theirarms，outstretched，andallholdingoneanotherbytheshoulders。Fromthe，depthsoftheirbreaststheydrewforthahoarseandcavernous，intonation;theireyes，whichwerefasteneduponthecolossus，shone，throughthedust，andtheyswayedtheirbodiessimultaneously，andat，equaldistances，asthoughtheywereallaffectedbyasingle，movement。Theyweresofrenziedthattorestoreorderthehierodules，compelledthem，withblowsofthestick，tolieflatupontheground，withtheirfacesrestingagainstthebrasstrellis-work。
Thenitwasthatamaninawhiterobeadvancedfromthebackofthe，square。Hepenetratedthecrowdslowly，andpeoplerecognisedapriest，ofTanith——thehigh-priestSchahabarim。Hootingswereraised，forthe，tyrannyofthemaleprincipleprevailedthatdayinallconsciences，andthegoddesswasactuallysocompletelyforgottenthattheabsence，ofherpontiffshadnotbeennoticed。Buttheamazementwasincreased，whenhewasseentoopenoneofthedoorsofthetrellis-workintended，forthosewhointendedtoofferupvictims。Itwasanoutragetotheir，god，thoughtthepriestsofMoloch，thathehadjustcommitted，and，theysoughtwitheagergesturestorepelhim。Fedonthemeatofthe，holocausts，cladinpurplelikekings，andwearingtriple-storied，crowns，theydespisedthepaleeunuch，weakenedwithhismacerations，andangrylaughtershooktheirblackbeards，whichweredisplayedon，theirbreastsinthesun。
Schahabarimwalkedon，givingnoreply，and，traversingthewhole，enclosurewithdeliberation，reachedthelegsofthecolossus;then，spreadingoutbotharms，hetoucheditonbothsides，whichwasa，solemnformofadoration。ForalongtimeRabbethadbeentorturing，him，andindespair，orperhapsforlackofagodthatcompletely，satisfiedhisideas，hehadatlastdecidedforthisone。
Thecrowd，terrifiedbythisactofapostasy，utteredalengthened，murmur。Itwasfeltthatthelasttiewhichboundtheirsoulstoa，mercifuldivinitywasbreaking。
Butowingtohismutilation，Schahabarimcouldtakenopartinthe，cultoftheBaal。Themenintheredcloaksshuthimoutfromthe，enclosure;then，whenhewasoutside，hewentroundallthecolleges，insuccession，andthepriest，henceforthwithoutagod，disappeared，intothecrowd。Itscatteredathisapproach。
Meanwhileafireofaloes，cedar，andlaurelwasburningbetweenthe，legsofthecolossus。Thetipsofitslongwingsdippedintothe，flame;theunguentswithwhichithadbeenrubbedflowedlikesweat，overitsbrazenlimbs。Aroundthecircularflagstoneonwhichitsfeet，rested，thechildren，wrappedinblackveils，formedamotionless，circle;anditsextravagantlylongarmsreacheddowntheirpalmsto，themasthoughtoseizethecrownthattheyformedandcarryittothe，sky。
Therich，theAncients，thewomen，thewholemultitude，thronged，behindthepriestsandontheterracesofthehouses。Thelarge，paintedstarsrevolvednolonger;thetabernaclesweresetuponthe，ground;andthefumesfromthecensersascendedperpendicularly，spreadingtheirbluishbranchesthroughtheazurelikegigantictrees。
Manyfainted;othersbecameinertandpetrifiedintheirecstasy。
Infiniteanguishweigheduponthebreastsofthebeholders。Thelast，shoutsdiedoutonebyone，——andthepeopleofCarthagestood，breathless，andabsorbedinthelongingoftheirterror。
AtlastthehighpriestofMolochpassedhislefthandbeneaththe，children’sveils，pluckedalockofhairfromtheirforeheads，and，threwitupontheflames。Thenthemenintheredcloakschantedthe，sacredhymn：
“Homagetothee，Sun！kingofthetwozones，self-generatingCreator，FatherandMother，FatherandSon，GodandGoddess，GoddessandGod！”
Andtheirvoiceswerelostintheoutburstofinstrumentssounding，simultaneouslytodrownthecriesofthevictims。Theeight-stringed，scheminiths，thekinnorswhichhadtenstrings，andthenebalswhich，hadtwelve，grated，whistled，andthundered。Enormousleathernbags，bristlingwithpipes，madeashrillclashingnoise;thetabourines，beatenwithalltheplayers’might，resoundedwithheavy，rapidblows;
and，inspiteofthefuryoftheclarions，thesalsalimsnappedlike，grasshoppers’wings。
Thehierodules，withalonghook，openedtheseven-storied，compartmentsonthebodyoftheBaal。Theyputmealintothehighest，twoturtle-dovesintothesecond，anapeintothethird，araminto，thefourth，asheepintothefifth，andasnooxwastobehadforthe，sixth，atawnyhidetakenfromthesanctuarywasthrownintoit。The，seventhcompartmentyawnedemptystill。
Beforeundertakinganythingitwaswelltomaketrialofthearmsof，thegod。Slenderchainletsstretchedfromhisfingersuptohis，shouldersandfellbehind，wheremenbypullingthemmadethetwo，handsrisetoalevelwiththeelbows，andcomeclosetogetheragainst，thebelly;theyweremovedseveraltimesinsuccessionwithlittle，abruptjerks。Thentheinstrumentswerestill。Thefireroared。
ThepontiffsofMolochwalkedaboutonthegreatflagstonescanning，themultitude。
Anindividualsacrificewasnecessary，aperfectlyvoluntaryoblation，whichwasconsideredascarryingtheothersalongwithit。Butnoone，hadappeareduptothepresent，andthesevenpassagesleadingfrom，thebarrierstothecolossuswerecompletelyempty。Thenthepriests，toencouragethepeople，drewbodkinsfromtheirgirdlesandgashed，theirfaces。TheDevotees，whowerestretchedonthegroundoutside，werebroughtwithintheenclosure。Abundleofhorribleironswas，throwntothem，andeachchosehisowntorture。Theydroveinspits，betweentheirbreasts;theysplittheircheeks;theyputcrownsof，thornsupontheirheads;thentheytwinedtheirarmstogether，and，surroundedthechildreninanotherlargecirclewhichwidenedand，contractedinturns。Theyreachedtothebalustrade，theythrew，themselvesbackagain，andthenbeganoncemore，attractingthecrowd，tothembythedizzinessoftheirmotionwithitsaccompanyingblood，andshrieks。
Bydegreespeoplecameintotheendofthepassages;theyflunginto，theflamespearls，goldvases，cups，torches，alltheirwealth;the，offeringsbecameconstantlymorenumerousandmoresplendid。Atlasta，manwhotottered，amanpaleandhideouswithterror，thrustforwarda，child;thenalittleblackmasswasseenbetweenthehandsofthe，colossus，andsankintothedarkopening。Thepriestsbentoverthe，edgeofthegreatflagstone，——andanewsongburstforthcelebrating，thejoysofdeathandofnewbirthintoeternity。
Thechildrenascendedslowly，andasthesmokeformedloftyeddiesas，itescaped，theyseemedatadistancetodisappearinacloud。Notone，stirred。Theirwristsandanklesweretied，andthedarkdrapery，preventedthemfromseeinganythingandfrombeingrecognised。
Hamilcar，inaredcloak，likethepriestsofMoloch，wasbesidethe，Baal，standinguprightinfrontofthegreattoeofitsrightfoot。
Whenthefourteenthchildwasbroughteveryonecouldseehimmakea，greatgestureofhorror。Buthesoonresumedhisformerattitude，foldedhisarms，andlookedupontheground。Thehighpontiffstoodon，theothersideofthestatueasmotionlessashe。Hishead，ladenwith，anAssyrianmitre，wasbent，andhewaswatchingthegoldplateonhis，breast;itwascoveredwithfatidicalstones，andtheflamemirrored，initformedirisatedlights。Hegrewpaleanddismayed。Hamilcarbent，hisbrow;andtheywerebothsonearthefuneral-pilethatthehemsof，theircloaksbrusheditastheyrosefromtimetotime。
Thebrazenarmswereworkingmorequickly。Theypausednolonger。
EverytimethatachildwasplacedinthemthepriestsofMoloch，spreadouttheirhandsuponhimtoburdenhimwiththecrimesofthe，people，vociferating：“Theyarenotmenbutoxen！”andthemultitude，roundaboutrepeated：“Oxen！oxen！”Thedevoutexclaimed：“Lord！eat！”
andthepriestsofProserpine，complyingthroughterrorwiththeneeds，ofCarthage，mutteredtheEleusinianformula：“Pouroutrain！bring，forth！”
Thevictims，whenscarcelyattheedgeoftheopening，disappeared，likeadropofwateronared-hotplate，andwhitesmokeroseamidthe，greatscarletcolour。
Nevertheless，theappetiteofthegodwasnotappeased。Heeverwished，formore。Inordertofurnishhimwithalargersupply，thevictims，werepileduponhishandswithabigchainabovethemwhichkeptthem，intheirplace。Somedevoutpersonshadatthebeginningwishedto，countthem，toseewhethertheirnumbercorrespondedwiththedaysof，thesolaryear;butotherswerebrought，anditwasimpossibleto，distinguishtheminthegiddymotionofthehorriblearms。Thislasted，foralong，indefinitetimeuntiltheevening。Thenthepartitions，insideassumedadarkerglow，andburningfleshcouldbeseen。Some，evenbelievedthattheycoulddescryhair，limbs，andwholebodies。
Nightfell;cloudsaccumulatedabovetheBaal。Thefuneral-pile，which，wasflamelessnow，formedapyramidofcoalsuptohisknees;
completelyredlikeagiantcoveredwithblood，helooked，withhis，headthrownback，asthoughhewerestaggeringbeneaththeweightof，hisintoxication。
Inproportionasthepriestsmadehaste，thefrenzyofthepeople，increased;asthenumberofthevictimswasdiminishing，somecried，outtosparethem，othersthatstillmorewereneedful。Thewalls，withtheirburdenofpeople，seemedtobegivingwaybeneaththe，howlingsofterrorandmysticvoluptuousness。Thenthefaithfulcame，intothepassages，draggingtheirchildren，whoclungtothem;and，theybeattheminordertomakethemletgo，andhandedthemoverto，themeninred。Theinstrument-playerssometimesstoppedthrough，exhaustion;thenthecriesofthemothersmightbeheard，andthe，frizzlingofthefatasitfelluponthecoals。Thehenbane-drinkers，crawledonallfoursaroundthecolossus，roaringliketigers;the，Yidonimvaticinated，theDevoteessangwiththeirclovenlips;the，trellis-workhadbeenbrokenthrough，allwishedforashareinthe，sacrifice;——andfathers，whosechildrenhaddiedpreviously，cast，theireffigies，theirplaythings，theirpreservedbonesintothefire。
Somewhohadknivesrushedupontherest。Theyslaughteredone，another。Thehierodulestookthefallenashesattheedgeofthe，flagstoneinbronzefans，andcastthemintotheairthatthe，sacrificemightbescatteredoverthetownandeventotheregionof，thestars。
TheloudnoiseandgreatlighthadattractedtheBarbarianstothe，footofthewalls;theyclungtothewreckofthehelepolistohavea，betterview，andgazedopen-mouthedinhorror。
CHAPTERXIV
THEPASSOFTHEHATCHET
TheCarthaginianshadnotre-enteredtheirhouseswhentheclouds，accumulatedmorethickly;thosewhoraisedtheirheadstowardsthe，colossuscouldfeelbigdropsontheirforeheads，andtherainfell。
Itfellthewholenightplentifully，infloods;thethundergrowled;
itwasthevoiceofMoloch;hehadvanquishedTanith;andshe，being，nowfecundated，openeduphervastbosominheaven’sheights。
Sometimesshecouldbeseeninaclearandluminousspotstretched，uponcushionsofcloud;andthenthedarknesswouldcloseinagainas，thoughshewerestilltoowearyandwishedtosleepagain;the，Carthaginians，allbelievingthatwaterisbroughtforthbythemoon，shoutedtomakehertravaileasy。
Therainbeatupontheterracesandoverflowedthem，forminglakesin，thecourts，cascadesonthestaircases，andeddiesatthecornersof，thestreets。Itpouredinwarmheavymassesandurgentstreams;big，frothyjetsleapedfromthecornersofallthebuildings;andit，seemedasthoughwhitishclothshungdimlyuponthewalls，andthe，washedtemple-roofsshoneblackinthegleamofthelightning。
TorrentsdescendedfromtheAcropolisbyathousandpaths;houses，suddenlygaveway，andsmallbeams，plaster，rubbish，andfurniture，passedalonginstreamswhichranimpetuouslyoverthepavement。
Amphoras，flagons，andcanvaseshadbeenplacedoutofdoors;butthe，torcheswereextinguished;brandsweretakenfromthefuneral-pileof，theBaal，andtheCarthaginiansbentbacktheirnecksandopenedtheir，mouthstodrink。Othersbythesideofthemirypools，plungedtheir，armsintothemuptothearmpits，andfilledthemselvessoabundantly，withwaterthattheyvomiteditforthlikebuffaloes。Thefreshness，graduallyspread;theybreathedinthedampairwithplayoflimb，and，inthehappinessoftheirintoxicationboundlesshopesoonarose。All，theirmiserieswereforgotten。Theircountrywasbornanew。
Theyfelttheneed，asitwere，ofdirectinguponothersthe，extravagantfurywhichtheyhadbeenunabletoemployagainst，themselves。Suchasacrificecouldnotbeinvain;althoughtheyfelt，noremorsetheyfoundthemselvescarriedawaybythefrenzywhich，resultsfromcomplicityinirreparablecrimes。
TheBarbarianshadencounteredthestormintheirill-closedtents;
andtheywerestillquitechilledonthemorrowastheytramped，throughthemudinsearchoftheirstoresandweapons，whichwere，spoiledandlost。
HamilcarwenthimselftoseeHanno，and，invirtueofhisplenary，powers，intrustedthecommandtohim。TheoldSuffethesitatedfora，fewminutesbetweenhisanimosityandhisappetiteforauthority，but，heacceptednevertheless。
Hamilcarnexttookoutagalleyarmedwithacatapultateachend。He，placeditinthegulfinfrontoftheraft;thenheembarkedhis，stoutesttroopsonboardsuchvesselsaswereavailable。Hewas，apparentlytakingtoflight;andrunningnorthwardbeforethewindhe，disappearedintothemist。
Butthreedaysafterwards，whentheattackwasabouttobeginagain，somepeoplearrivedtumultuouslyfromtheLibyancoast。Barcahadcome，amongthem。Hehadcarriedoffprovisionseverywhere，andhewas，spreadingthroughthecountry。
ThentheBarbarianswereindignantasthoughhewerebetrayingthem。
Thosewhoweremostwearyofthesiege，andespeciallytheGauls，did，nothesitatetoleavethewallsinordertotryandrejoinhim。
Spendiuswantedtoreconstructthehelepolis;Mathohadtracedan，imaginarylinefromhistenttoMegara，andinwardlysworetofollow，it，andnoneoftheirmenstirred。Buttherest，underthecommandof，Autaritus，wentoff，abandoningthewesternpartoftherampart，and，soprofoundwasthecarelessnessexhibitedthatnooneeventhoughtof，replacingthem。
Narr’Havasspiedthemfromafarinthemountains。Duringthenighthe，ledallhismenalongthesea-shoreontheoutersideoftheLagoon，andenteredCarthage。
Hepresentedhimselfasasaviourwithsixthousandmenallcarrying，mealundertheircloaks，andfortyelephantsladenwithforageand，driedmeat。Thepeopleflockedquicklyaroundthem;theygavethem，names。Thesightofthesestronganimals，sacredtoBaal，gavethe，Carthaginiansevenmorejoythanthearrivalofsuchrelief;itwasa，tokenofthetendernessofthegod，aproofthathewasatlastabout，tointerfereinthewartodefendthem。
Narr’HavasreceivedthecomplimentsoftheAncients。Thenheascended，toSalammbo’spalace。
HehadnotseenheragainsincethetimewheninHamilcar’stentamid，thefivearmieshehadfeltherlittle，cold，softhandfastenedto，hisown;shehadleftforCarthageafterthebetrothal。Hislove，whichhadbeendivertedbyotherambitions，hadcomebacktohim;and，nowheexpectedtoenjoyhisrights，tomarryher，andtakeher。
Salammbodidnotunderstandhowtheyoungmancouldeverbecomeher，master！AlthoughsheaskedTanitheverydayforMatho’sdeath，her，horroroftheLibyanwasgrowingless。Shevaguelyfeltthatthehate，withwhichhehadpersecutedherwassomethingalmostreligious，——and，shewouldfainhaveseeninNarr’Havas’spersonareflection，asit，were，ofthatmalicewhichstilldazzledher。Shedesiredtoknowhim，better，andyethispresencewouldhaveembarrassedher。Shesenthim，wordthatshecouldnotreceivehim。
Moreover，HamilcarhadforbiddenhispeopletoadmittheKingofthe，Numidianstoseeher;byputtingoffhisrewardtotheendofthewar，hehopedtoretainhisdevotion;——and，throughdreadoftheSuffet，Narr’Havaswithdrew。
ButheborehimselfhaughtilytowardstheHundred。Hechangedtheir，arrangements。Hedemandedprivilegesforhismen，andplacedthemon，importantposts;thustheBarbariansstaredwhentheyperceived，Numidiansonthetowers。
ThesurpriseoftheCarthaginianswasgreaterstillwhenthreehundred，oftheirownpeople，whohadbeenmadeprisonersduringtheSicilian，war，arrivedonboardanoldPunictrireme。Hamilcar，infact，had，secretlysentbacktotheQuiritesthecrewsoftheLatinvessels，takenbeforethedefectionoftheTyriantowns;and，toreciprocate，thecourtesy，Romewasnowsendinghimbackhercaptives。Shescorned，theoverturesoftheMercenariesinSardinian，andwouldnoteven，recognisetheinhabitantsofUticaassubjects。
Hiero，whowasrulingatSyracuse，wascarriedawaybythisexample。
ForthepreservationofhisownStatesitwasnecessarythatan，equilibriumshouldexistbetweenthetwopeoples;hewasinterested，therefore，inthesafetyoftheChanaanites，andhedeclaredhimself，theirfriend，andsentthemtwelvehundredoxen，withfifty-three，thousandnebelsofpurewheat。
AdeeperreasonpromptedaidtoCarthage。Itwasfeltthatifthe，Mercenariestriumphed，everyone，fromsoldiertoplate-washer，would，rise，andthatnogovernmentandnohousecouldresistthem。
MeanwhileHamilcarwasscouringtheeasterndistricts。Hedroveback，theGauls，andalltheBarbariansfoundthattheywerethemselvesin，somethinglikeastateofsiege。
Thenhesethimselftoharassthem。Hewouldarriveandthenretire，andbyconstantlyrenewingthismanoeuvre，hegraduallydetachedthem，fromtheirencampments。Spendiuswasobligedtofollowthem，andin，theendMathoyieldedinlikemanner。
HedidnotpassbeyondTunis。Heshuthimselfupwithinitswalls。
Thispersistencewasfullofwisdom，forsoonNarr’Havaswastobe，seenissuingfromthegateofKhamonwithhiselephantsandsoldiers。
Hamilcarwasrecallinghim，buttheotherBarbarianswerealready，wanderingaboutintheprovincesinpursuitoftheSuffet。
ThelatterhadreceivedthreethousandGaulsfromClypea。Hehad，horsesbroughttohimfromCyrenaica，andarmourfromBrutium，and，beganthewaragain。
Neverhadhisgeniusbeensoimpetuousandfertile。Forfivemoonshe，draggedhisenemiesafterhim。Hehadanendtowhichhewishedto，guidethem。
TheBarbarianshadatfirsttriedtoencompasshimwithsmall，detachments，buthealwaysescapedthem。Theyceasedtoseparatethen。
Theirarmyamountedtoaboutfortythousandmen，andseveraltimes，theyenjoyedthesightofseeingtheCarthaginiansfallback。
ThehorsemenofNarr’Havaswerewhattheyfoundmosttormenting。
Often，attimesofthegreatestweariness，whentheywereadvancing，overtheplains，anddozingbeneaththeweightoftheirarms，agreat，lineofdustwouldsuddenlyriseonthehorizon;therewouldbea，gallopinguptothem，andarainofdartswouldpourfromthebosomof，acloudfilledwithflamingeyes。TheNumidiansintheirwhitecloaks，wouldutterloudshouts，raisetheirarms，presstheirrearing，stallionswiththeirknees，and，wheelingthemroundabruptly，would，thendisappear。Theyhadalwayssuppliesofjavelinsanddromedaries，somedistanceoff，andtheywouldreturnmoreterriblethanbefore，howllikewolves，andtaketoflightlikevultures。TheBarbarians，postedattheextremitiesofthefilesfellonebyone;andthiswould，continueuntilevening，whenanattemptwouldbemadetoenterthe，mountains。
Althoughtheywereperilousforelephants，Hamilcarmadehiswayin，amongthem。Hefollowedthelongchainwhichextendsfromthe，promontoryofHermaeumtothetopofZagouan。This，theybelieved，was，adeviceforhidingtheinsufficiencyofhistroops。Butthecontinual，uncertaintyinwhichhekeptthemexasperatedthematlastmorethan，anydefeat。Theydidnotloseheart，andmarchedafterhim。
Atlastoneeveningtheysurprisedabodyofvelitesamidsomebig，rocksattheentranceofapassbetweentheSilverMountainandthe，LeadMountain;theentirearmywascertainlyinfrontofthem，fora，noiseoffootstepsandclarionscouldbeheard;theCarthaginians，immediatelyfledthroughthegorge。Itdescendedintoaplain，andwas，shapedlikeanironhatchetwithasurroundingofloftycliffs。The，Barbariansdashedintoitinordertoovertakethevelites;quiteat，thebottomotherCarthaginianswererunningtumultuouslyamid，gallopingoxen。Amaninaredcloakwastobeseen;itwasthe，Suffet;theyshoutedthistooneanother;andtheywerecarriedaway，withincreasedfuryandjoy。Several，fromlazinessorprudence，had，remainedonthethresholdofthepass。Butsomecavalry，debouching，fromawood，beatthemdownupontherestwithblowsofpikeand，sabre;andsoonalltheBarbarianswerebelowintheplain。
Thenthisgreathumanmass，afterswayingtoandfroforsometime，stoodstill;theycoulddiscovernooutlet。
Thosewhowerenearesttothepasswentbackagain，butthepassage，hadentirelydisappeared。Theyhailedthoseinfronttomakethemgo，on;theywerebeingcrushedagainstthemountain，andfromadistance，theyinveighedagainsttheircompanions，whowereunabletofindthe，routeagain。
InfacttheBarbarianshadscarcelydescendedwhenmenwhohadbeen，crouchingbehindtherocksraisedthelatterwithbeamsandoverthrew，them，andastheslopewassteepthehugeblockshadrolleddownpell-
mellandcompletelystoppedupthenarrowopening。
Attheotherextremityoftheplainstretchedalongpassage，splitin，gapshereandthere，andleadingtoaravinewhichascendedtothe，upperplateau，wherethePunicarmywasstationed。Laddershadbeen，placedbeforehandinthispassageagainstthewallofcliff;and，protectedbythewindingsofthegaps，theveliteswereabletoseize，andmountthembeforebeingovertaken。Severalevenmadetheirwayto，thebottomoftheravine;theyweredrawnupwithcables，forthe，groundatthisspotwasofmovingsand，andsomuchinclinedthatit，wasimpossibletoclimbitevenontheknees。TheBarbariansarrived，almostimmediately。Butaportcullis，fortycubitshigh，andmadeto，fittheinterveningspaceexactly，suddenlysankbeforethemlikea，rampartfallenfromtheskies。
TheSuffet’scombinationshadthereforesucceeded。Noneofthe，Mercenariesknewthemountain，and，marchingastheydidatthehead，oftheircolumns，theyhaddrawnontherest。Therocks，whichwere，somewhatnarrowatthebase，hadbeeneasilycastdown;and，whileall，wererunning，hisarmyhadraisedshouts，asofdistress，onthe，horizon。Hamilcar，itistrue，mighthavelosthisvelites，onlyhalf，ofwhomremained，buthewouldhavesacrificedtwentytimesasmany，forthesuccessofsuchanenterprise。
TheBarbarianspressedforwarduntilmorning，incompactfiles，from，oneendoftheplaintotheother。Theyfeltthemountainwiththeir，hands，seekingtodiscoverapassage。
Atlastdaybroke;andtheyperceivedallaboutthemagreatwhite，wallhewnwiththepick。Andnomeansofsafety，nohope！Thetwo，naturaloutcomesfromthisblindalleywereclosedbytheportcullis，andtheheapsofrocks。
Thentheyalllookedatoneanotherwithoutspeaking。Theysankdown，incollapse，feelinganicycoldnessintheirloins，andan，overwhelmingweightupontheireyelids。
Theyrose，andboundedagainsttherocks。Butthelowestwereweighted，bythepressureoftheothers，andwereimmovable。Theytriedtocling，tothemsoastoreachthetop，butthebellyingshapeofthegreat，massesrenderedallholdimpossible。Theysoughttocleavetheground，onbothsidesofthegorge，buttheirinstrumentsbroke。Theymadea，largefirewiththetentpoles，butthefirecouldnotburnthe，mountain。
Theyreturnedtotheportcullis;itwasgarnishedwithlongnailsas，thickasstakes，assharpasthespinesofaporcupine，andcloser，thanthehairsofabrush。Buttheywereanimatedbysuchragethat，theydashedthemselvesagainstit。Thefirstwerepiercedtothe，backbone，thosecomingnextsurgedoverthem，andallfellback，leavinghumanfragmentsandbloodstainedhaironthosehorrible，branches。
Whentheirdiscouragementwassomewhatabated，theymadean，examinationoftheprovisions。TheMercenaries，whosebaggagewas，lost，possessedscarcelyenoughfortwodays;andalltherestfound，themselvesdestitute，——fortheyhadbeenawaitingaconvoypromisedby，thevillagesoftheSouth。
However，somebullswereroamingabout，thosewhichtheCarthaginians，hadloosedinthegorgetoattracttheBarbarians。Theykilledthem，withlancethrustsandatethem，andwhentheirstomachswerefilled，theirthoughtswerelessmournful。
Thenextdaytheyslaughteredallthemulestothenumberofabout，forty;thentheyscrapedtheskins，boiledtheentrails，poundedthe，bones，anddidnotyetdespair;thearmyfromTunishadnodoubtbeen，warned，andwascoming。
Butontheeveningofthefifthdaytheirhungerincreased;they，gnawedtheirsword-belts，andthelittlespongeswhichborderedthe，bottomoftheirhelmets。
Thesefortythousandmenweremassedintothespeciesofhippodrome，formedbythemountainaboutthem。Someremainedinfrontofthe，portcullis，oratthefootoftherocks;therestcoveredtheplain，confusedly。Thestrongshunnedoneanother，andthetimidsoughtout，thebrave，who，nevertheless，wereunabletosavethem。
Toavoidinfection，thecorpsesoftheveliteshadbeenspeedily，buried;andthepositionofthegraveswasnolongervisible。
AlltheBarbarianslaydroopingontheground。Aveteranwouldpass，betweentheirlineshereandthere;andtheywouldhowlcursesagainst，theCarthaginians，againstHamilcar，andagainstMatho，althoughhe，wasinnocentoftheirdisaster;butitseemedtothemthattheirpains，wouldhavebeenlessifhehadsharedthem。Thentheygroaned，and，someweptsoftlylikelittlechildren。
Theycametothecaptainsandbesoughtthemtograntthemsomething，thatwouldalleviatetheirsufferings。Theothersmadenoreply;or，seizedwithfury，wouldpickupastoneandflingitintheirfaces。
Several，infact，carefullykeptareserveoffoodinaholeinthe，ground——afewhandfulsofdates，oralittlemeal;andtheyatethis，duringthenight，withtheirheadsbentbeneaththeircloaks。Those，whohadswordskeptthemnakedintheirhands，andthemostsuspicious，remainedstandingwiththeirbacksagainstthemountain。
Theyaccusedtheirchiefsandthreatenedthem。Autarituswasnot，afraidofshowinghimself。WiththeBarbaricobstinacywhichnothing，coulddiscourage，hewouldadvancetwentytimesadaytotherocksat，thebottom，hopingeverytimetofindthemperchancedisplaced;and，swayinghisheavyfur-coveredshoulders，heremindedhiscompanionsof，abearcomingforthfromitscaveinspringtimetoseewhetherthe，snowsaremelted。
Spendius，surroundedbytheGreeks，hidhimselfinoneofthegaps;as，hewasafraid，hecausedarumourofhisdeathtobespread。
Theywerenowhideouslylean;theirskinwasoverlaidwithbluish，marblings。OntheeveningoftheninthdaythreeIberiansdied。
Theirfrightenedcompanionsleftthespot。Theywerestripped，andthe，white，nakedbodieslayinthesunshineonthesand。
ThentheGaramantiansbegantoprowlslowlyroundaboutthem。They，weremenaccustomedtoexistenceinsolitude，andtheyreverencedno，god。Atlasttheoldestofthebandmadeasign，andbendingoverthe，corpsestheycutstripsfromthemwiththeirknives，thensquatted，upontheirheelsandate。Therestlookedonfromadistance;they，utteredcriesofhorror;——many，nevertheless，being，atthebottomof，theirsouls，jealousofsuchcourage。
Inthemiddleofthenightsomeoftheseapproached，and，dissembling，theireagerness，askedforasmallmouthful，merelytotry，theysaid。
Bolderonescameup;theirnumberincreased;therewassoonacrowd。
