Finally there were twelve hundred Negroes from the quarter of the caravans, who were mingled with the Clinabarians, and were to run beside the stallions with one hand resting on the manes.

All was ready, and yet Hamilcar did not start.
Often at night he would go out of Carthage alone and make his way beyond the lagoon towards the mouths of the Macaras.

Did he intend to join the Mercenaries?
The Ligurians encamped in the Mappalian district surrounded his house.
The apprehensions of the rich appeared justified when, one day, three hundred Barbarians were seen approaching the walls.

The Suffet opened the gates to them; they were deserters; drawn by fear or by fidelity, they were hastening to their master.
Hamilcar's return had not surprised the Mercenaries; according to their ideas the man could not die.

He was returning to fulfil his promise;--a hope by no means absurd, so deep was the abyss between Country and Army.