He says, that birds fell to the ground from the shout of the soldiers, and that so great a multitude went on board the fleet, that it seemed as if there was not a man left in Italy or Sicily.

Scipio took upon himself the care of seeing that the soldiers embarked orderly and without confusion.

The seamen, who were made to embark first, Caius Laelius, the admiral of the fleet, kept in order on board the ships.
The task of the putting on board the provisions was assigned to Marcus Pomponius, the praetor.

Food for forty-five days, of which enough for fifteen was cooked, was put on board.

When they were all embarked, he sent boats round with directions that the pilots and masters, with two soldiers from each ship, should assemble in the forum to receive orders.