The senate being informed of these great successes, and applied to for fresh instructions, commanded Man'lius back to Italy, in order to superintend the Sicilian war, and directed that Reg'ulus should continue in Africa to prosecute his victories there.
[Illustration: The army of Regulus destroying the serpent.] 20.

A battle ensued, in which Carthage was once more defeated, and 17,000 of its best troops were cut off.

This fresh victory contributed to throw them into the utmost despair; for more than eighty of their towns submitted to the Romans.21.In this distress, the Carthagin'ians, destitute of generals at home, were obliged to send to Lacedae'mon, offering the command of their armies to Xantip'pus, a general of great experience, who undertook to conduct them.
22.

This general began by giving the magistrates proper instructions for levying their men; he assured them that their armies were hitherto overthrown, not by the strength of the enemy, but by the ignorance of their own commanders; he, therefore, required a ready obedience to his orders, and assured them of an easy victory.23.The whole city seemed once more revived from despondence by the exhortations of a single stranger, and soon from hope grew into confidence.24.This was the spirit the Grecian general wished to excite in them; so that when he saw them thus ripe for the engagement, he joyfully took the field.

25.
The Lacedaemo'nian made the most skilful disposition of his forces; he placed his cavalry in the wings; he disposed the elephants at proper intervals, behind the line of the heavy-armed infantry, and bringing up the light-armed troops before, he ordered them to retire through the line of infantry, after they had discharged their weapons.26.