ousand; I believe
that soon there will be a hundred and eighty thousand. Blind faith in
Hannibal draws them on; they feel that with me they march to victory;
perhaps their gods have told them that this is but the beginning of a
series of achievements which will astound the world. Ponder over it,
Asbyte! These peoples have spent their lives fighting among themselves;
they hated each other, and yet the sword of Hannibal is a shepherd's
crook which guides them like a common flock; and after this miracle
would you have me waste my time loving you, staying in my tent lying at
your feet, my head upon your knees, listening to you while you sing the
dreamy songs of the oasis? No! Lightning of Baal! The city stands before
us, mocking at the greatest army ever gathered together on the fields of
Iberia, and this must stop. The hempen tent must crush the tower of
stone. Sharpen well your lance, daughter of Iarbas; prepare your
faithful steed, my beloved! That mysterious breeze which I always
perceive on the eve of a victory blows around me. This very day we shall
enter Saguntum."

He glanced to the east as if impatient for the coming of dawn.

The moon shone less clearly; the sky darkened, its blue becoming more
dense, and on the side toward the sea a broad belt of violet light
appeared.

"It will soon be morning," continued the African. "This night, Asbyte,
you shall sleep in the ivory couch of some rich Greek woman, and you
shall have at your feet the Elders of the city to serve you as slaves."

"No, Hannibal. This day which is now beginning will never end for me. I
still see the shade of Iarbas, as it appeared to me before the first
cock-crow. I shall die, Hannibal!"

"Die! Can you believe that? Before the enemy reaches you he must pass
over Hannibal's body. You are my brother in arms! _I_ will be at your
side!"

"Even so, I must die. My father cannot deceive me."

"Are you afraid? Are you trembling, daughter of the Garamantan? Ah, at
last the woman! Stay in your tent! Do not approach the walls! I will go
and seek you when the moment arrives for you to enter the city like a
lady!"

Asbyte straightened her graceful figure as if she had just received a
lashing. Her large eyes glowed with anger.

"I will leave you, Hannibal. Day is beginning to dawn. Make preparation
for the assault, and you will find me ready when your troops give the
signal. Knowing that I am going to die, I wish to ask you for one kiss,
the last--No,