When the troops were all on board the soldiers who had kept back the crowd were withdrawn, and the Carthaginians thronged down on to the quay.

A small space was still kept clear on the wharf by whose side the admiral's ship was lying, and here was gathered a throng of the aristocracy of the city to see the last of their sons and relatives of the guard.
Having seen their horses safely stowed below the young men crowded to the side of the ship to exchange adieus with their friends.

The parting was a brief one, for the wind was fair, and the general anxious to be well out of the bay before nightfall.

Therefore the signal was hoisted.
Numbers of slaves seized the hawsers of the ships and towed them along through the narrow passage which connected the docks with the sea.

A shout of adieu rose from the crowd, the sails were hoisted, and the fleet proceeded on its way.
The arrangements for the comfort of the troops at sea were simple and primitive.