and that is thick with mud; and yet no
one in Saguntum talks of surrender, and the defense must be continued.
We all know what awaits us if we fall into the hands of Hannibal."

"I have talked with him," said Actaeon, "and he is inexorable. If he
enters Saguntum every man of us will become his slave!"

The assembly stirred again with indignation.

"We will die first!" shouted the Elders.

Hastily they agreed upon what must be said to the people. They swore by
the gods to conceal the truth. They would prolong the sacrifice in the
hope that aid from Rome might come in time. Composing their countenances
so that none should divine their despair, the Elders walked out of the
temple. Swiftly the news flashed through the city. The legates had
proceeded to Carthage to waste no time in the camp; there they would
demand the punishment of Hannibal. The legions which Rome was sending to
the support of the Saguntines would arrive at any moment.

The crowd received this specious fabrication with cold insensibility.
The sufferings of the siege had deadened their feelings. Besides, they
had been fired so many times with hope of the coming of the Romans that
they doubted and would not believe until they saw the fleet itself.

Actaeon mingled with the starving crowd searching for Sonnica. He found
her surrounded by Lachares and the young gallants. Near them stood
Euphobias, smiling at Sonnica, but not venturing to approach.

"The gods have protected you on your journey, Actaeon," said the
parasite. "You look better than we who have remained in the city. One
can plainly see that you have fed."

"But you, philosopher," said the Greek, "are not so lean and emaciated
as the others. Who maintains you?"

"My poverty. I was so accustomed to hunger in times of plenty that now I
scarcely notice the famine. Observe the advantages of being a
philosopher and a beggar!"

"Trust not the words of that monster," said Lachares with repugnance.
"He is as beastly as a Celtiberian. He eats daily; but he should be
crucified in the middle of the Forum as a warning. He has been seen at
night wandering near the walls with a band of slaves in search of dying
men."

The Greek turned from the parasite with disgust.

"Do not believe it, Actaeon," said Euphobias. "Now they envy me my
beggar's parsimony, as in other times they jeered at it. Hunger is my
ancient companion, and she respects me."

All drew away from the parasite, and Actaeon followed Son