emy; in this fatal necessity I addressed myself to
Ceres and Proserpine, the tutelar divinities of Sicily; and promised, that
if they would free us from this imminent danger, I would burn all our
ships in their honour, at our first landing here. Aid me therefore, O
soldiers, to discharge my vow; for the goddesses can easily make us amends
for this sacrifice." At the same time, taking a flambeau in his hand, he
hastily led the way on board his own ship, and set it on fire. All the
officers did the like, and were cheerfully followed by the soldiers. The
trumpets sounded from every quarter, and the whole army echoed with joyful
shouts and acclamations. The fleet was soon consumed. The soldiers had not
been allowed time to reflect on the proposal made to them. They all had
been hurried on by a blind and impetuous ardour; but when they had a
little recovered their reason, and, surveying in their minds the vast
extent of ocean which separated them from their own country, saw
themselves in that of the enemy without the least resource, or any means
of escaping out of it; a sad and melancholy silence succeeded the
transport of joy and acclamations, which, but a moment before, had been so
general in the army.

Here again Agathocles left no time for reflection. He marched his army
towards a place called the Great City, which was part of the domain of
Carthage. The country through which they marched to this place, afforded
the most delicious and agreeable prospect in the world. On either side
were seen large meads, watered by beautiful streams, and covered with
innumerable flocks of all kinds of cattle; country seats built with
extraordinary magnificence; delightful avenues planted with olive and all
sorts of fruit trees; gardens of a prodigious extent, and kept with a care
and elegance which delighted the eye. This prospect reanimated the
soldiers. They marched full of courage to the Great City, which they took
sword in hand, and enriched themselves with the plunder of it, which was
entirely abandoned to them. Tunis made as little resistance; and this
place was not far distant from Carthage.

The Carthaginians were in prodigious alarm when it was known that the
enemy was in the country, advancing by hasty marches. This arrival of
Agathocles made the Carthaginians conclude, that their army before
Syracuse had been defeated, and their fleet lost. The people ran in
disorder to the great square of the city, whilst the senate assembled