The rising greatness of Carthagena had attracted to her musicians and artists from all parts of the Mediterranean.

Snake charmers from the far Soudan and jugglers from the distant East exhibited their skill.

Poets recited their verses, and bards sung their lays before the wealth and beauty of Carthagena.

Hannibal, anxious at once to please his young wife and to increase his popularity, spared no pains or expense in these entertainments.
Gay as they were Malchus longed for a more stirring life, and with five or six of his comrades obtained leave of absence for a month, to go on a hunting expedition in the mountains.

He had heard, when upon the campaign, the issue of the plot in which he had been so nearly engaged.
It had failed.