bers, had to contract its front to fight in such a
constricted space, and in this equalizing of forces, the Saguntines
retained an advantage, repelling the besiegers as often as they tried to
climb over the mound formed by the fallen wall. Swords sunk into flesh
producing atrocious wounds characteristic of ancient warfare; breasts
were torn open by the brutal force of lances; combatants clinched
entwining their arms like tendrils, linking their legs, making their
panting chests wheeze like bellows, and rolling on the ground biting
each other in the face. Often when the victor arose he proudly displayed
a piece of bleeding flesh between his teeth.

Hannibal's troops rushed up the mound like a hurricane, and on its
approach the mass of defenders swayed, but none fell back; they must die
firm at their post, for behind them was a compact multitude which forced
them to be valiant, leaving no space for retreat.

Thus the battle raged for hours. The mounds of dead between besieged and
besieger made the advance difficult. The sun had sunk low in the west,
and Hannibal was exasperated by the stubborn resistance which mocked his
efforts. Still trusting in his lucky star he ordered the trumpets
sounded for the final assault; but at that instant an unheard of thing
occurred which disconcerted the chieftain and sowed confusion among his
troops.

Actaeon did not know for a certainty whence came the voice. Perhaps it
was an hallucination produced by faith; perhaps the invention of some
enthusiast tired of being on the defensive.

"The Romans!" shouted a voice. "Our allies are coming!"

The news spread with the credulity born of danger. From one to another
the story ran that the lookouts in the tower of Hercules had sighted a
fleet bound for the port, and none asked who had brought the inspiring
news to the breach in the walls. Everyone accepted it, adding by their
own invention fresh details, and eyes shone with joy, blanched faces
flushed, and even the wounded, dragging themselves over the rubbish
heap, waved their arms exclaiming:

"The Romans! The Romans are coming!"

Suddenly, without command, by common instinct, as if impelled by an
invisible force, they flung themselves through the breach, down the
incline, falling like an avalanche upon the besiegers who were massed
for the final assault.

The unexpectedness of the shock, the force of the surprise, the cry of
"The Romans! The Romans!" which the Saguntines raised with s