ugh now without
being observed, while later, in the silence of the night, the sentinels
will challenge you."

Actaeon freed himself from Sonnica's arms, and leaning over the walls he
grasped the rope in the darkness.

"Have confidence in our gods," said Alcon, as a parting word. "Although
it may seem as if they have abandoned us, they ever watch over Saguntum.
Not long ago a fugitive slave from the camp revealed before the Elders
that the Vaccaei and the Carpetani, exasperated by the robbery of the
detachments which Hannibal sent to gather supplies, have revolted
against him, and have beheaded his emissaries. It seems that Hannibal,
with a part of his army, will have to abandon the siege and go to punish
them. We shall have fewer enemies before us, and if you return with the
legions from Rome, Saguntum will be for the Carthaginians what the
AEgates Islands were for them in Sicily. Ah! How much better is peace!"

With this melancholy exclamation Alcon said farewell to the Greek, who
descended the rope in silence. His feet soon rested upon a part of the
rock on which the wall stood. He let go the rope and began groping his
way down, catching hold, in his precipitous descent, of the scrawny
olive trees which twisted over the heights as if complaining of the
asperity of the rocks.

At the feet of the Greek, in the black solitude of the plain, glittered
the light of camp fires. Perhaps they were advance guards of the camp
watching that part of the mountain, or marauders who followed the army,
and had established themselves there out of Hannibal's sight.

Actaeon watched the plain and picked his way cautiously, crouching along
by a stony ridge, stopping often to listen, holding his breath. He
thought he was being shadowed, that someone was skulking behind him.
Not far away blazed a great fire, and against its lurid smoke
silhouettes of men and women were outlined.

When he stood erect to explore the dark fields in order to circle away
from the fire, someone suddenly caught him by the shoulders, and a
hoarse voice murmured in his ears, between peals of loud and stupid
laughter:

"Now I have you at last!----You can not hide yourself from me!"

Actaeon squirmed from the clutching hands, and tugging at the broad knife
he wore in his belt sprang in front of the unknown in an attitude of
defense. It was a woman! By the dim starlight the Greek beheld her
gesture of indecision and surprise.

"Are you not Geryon the slinger