The Numidians might dash through; but the Clinabarians, who were protected by cuirasses, would crush them.
And then how were the palisades to be crossed?
As to the elephants, they were not sufficiently well trained.
"You are all cowards!" exclaimed Matho.
And with the best among them he rushed against the entrenchment.

They were repulsed by a volley of stones; for the Suffet had taken their abandoned catapults on the bridge.
This want of success produced an abrupt change in the fickle minds of the Barbarians.

Their extreme bravery disappeared; they wished to conquer, but with the smallest possible risk.

According to Spendius they ought to maintain carefully the position that they held, and starve out the Punic army.

But the Carthaginians began to dig wells, and as there were mountains surrounding the hill, they discovered water.
From the summit of their palisade they launched arrows, earth, dung, and pebbles which they gathered from the ground, while the six catapults rolled incessantly throughout the length of the terrace.
But the springs would dry up of themselves; the provisions would be exhausted, and the catapults worn out; the Mercenaries, who were ten times as numerous, would triumph in the end.