Had you informed us of what you had discovered we should have taken precautions which would doubtless have effected the object; but they would probably have become known to the plotters, and the attempt would have been postponed and attempted some other time, and perhaps with success.

What say you, Hannibal, have I not reason to be proud of this young son of mine ?" "You have indeed, Hamilcar, and deeply am I indebted to him.

It is not my life I care for, although that now is precious to me for the sake of my beloved Imilce, but had I fallen now all the plans which we have thought of together would have been frustrated, and the fairest chance which Carthage ever had of fighting out the quarrel with her rival would have been destroyed.

Truly it has been a marvellous escape, and it seems to me that the gods themselves must have inspired Malchus to act as he did on such slight grounds as seeing two Carthaginians of the guard in company with three or four natives at a late hour of the evening." "What do you think will be best to do with the traitors who have plotted against your life, Hannibal?
Shall we try and execute them here, or send them to Carthage to be dealt with ?" Hannibal did not answer for a minute.
"I think, Hamilcar, the best plan will be to keep silent altogether as to the danger I have run.

The army would be furious but would at the same time be dispirited were it known in Carthage that two of her nobles had been executed for an attempt on my life.