e should return
with a great part of the fleet and the forces; leaving Regulus only forty
vessels, fifteen thousand foot, and five hundred horse. Their leaving the
latter with so few ships and troops, was a visible renunciation of the
advantages which might have been expected from this descent upon Africa.

The people at Rome depended greatly on the courage and abilities of
Regulus; and the joy was universal, when it was known that he was
continued in the command in Africa; he alone was afflicted on that
account.(673) When news was brought him of it, he wrote to Rome, and
desired, in the strongest terms, that he might be appointed a successor.
His chief reason was, that the death of the farmer who rented his grounds,
having given one of his hirelings an opportunity of carrying off all the
implements of tillage, his presence was necessary for taking care of his
little spot of ground, (but seven acres,) which was all his family
subsisted upon. But the senate undertook to have his lands cultivated at
the public expense; to maintain his wife and children; and to indemnify
him for the loss he had sustained by the robbery of his hireling. Thrice
happy age! in which poverty was thus had in honour, and was united with
the most rare and uncommon merit, and the highest employments of the
state! Regulus thus freed from his domestic cares, bent his whole thoughts
on discharging the duty of a general.

After taking several castles, he laid siege to Adis one of the strongest
fortresses of the country.(674) The Carthaginians, exasperated at seeing
their enemies thus laying waste their lands at pleasure, at last took the
field, and marched against them, to force them to raise the siege. With
this view, they posted themselves on a hill, which overlooked the Roman
camp, and was convenient for annoying the enemy; but, at the same time, by
its situation, rendered one part of their army useless. For the strength
of the Carthaginians lay chiefly in their horses and elephants, which are
of no service but in plains. Regulus did not give them an opportunity of
descending from the hill; but, in order to take advantage of this
essential mistake of the Carthaginian generals, fell upon them in this
post; and after meeting with a feeble resistance, put the enemy to flight,
plundered their camp, and laid waste the adjacent country. Then, having
taken Tunis,(675) an important city, and which brought him near Carthage,
he made his army encamp there.