gates wish to land. They must speak to you in the name of Rome."

"It is useless. They cannot make me desist from my enterprise. Moreover,
the siege has lasted long, the troops are excited and a camp like mine,
composed of ferocious peoples from many countries, who are only
restrained when in my presence, is no safe place for ambassadors from
Rome. We had a battle only a few hours ago, and they are still fuming
with wrath."

As he said this he turned toward his troops, and, as if taking the
movement for an order, or perhaps divining in the eyes of their
chieftain his hidden purpose, they advanced into the water as if to
attack by swimming against the ship. Horsemen threatened with lances
still dyed in the blood of recent battle; they raised their shields, on
which the more savage Africans had hung as trophies the scalps of
Saguntines killed in the last sally. The Balearians showed their white
teeth in stupid grins, and taking clay balls from their pouches, they
directed sling-shots against the Roman vessel.

"Do you see?" shouted Hannibal with satisfaction. "It is impossible to
receive the legates in my camp. It is too late to talk. There is nothing
left but for Saguntum to give herself up to me in punishment for her
crimes."

The legates, scorning the projectiles from the slings, leaned over the
side of the ship, thrusting forward their bodies covered by their togas,
with an arrogance which seemed to defy the savage warriors.

Indignation at being received with such scorn blanched their cheeks.

"African!" shouted one of the legates in Latin, heedless that Hannibal
could not understand, "since you will not receive the envoys from Rome
we shall go on to Carthage to demand that they turn your person over to
us for breaking the treaties of Hasdrubal. Rome will punish you when you
become our prisoner!"

"What does he say? What does he say?" growled Hannibal enraged at the
incomprehensible words in which he surmised a threat.

When Actaeon explained, the chieftain burst into a loud laugh of
derision.

"Go, Romans!" he shouted. "Go thither! The rich hate me and they would
be glad to grant your demands and turn me over to the enemy; but the
people love me, and there is no man in Carthage who dares to come into
the bosom of my army to make me prisoner."

Arrows rained around the ship; clay balls rebounded from her sides, and
the Roman pilot gave the order to recede. The oars moved and the vessel
slowly began to put