Their march was a long one; for Hannibal wished to come up with the main army as soon as possible, and no less than thirty miles were encompassed before they halted for the night.

They were now far up on the slopes of the Sierras.

The latter part of the journey had been exceedingly toilsome.

The route was mostly bare rock, which sorely tried the feet of the soldiers, these being in most cases unprotected even by sandals.

Malchus and his mounted companions did not of course suffer in their feet.