he governor saw plainly that there was no
other way left to save the city, but by firing the engines of the
besiegers. Having therefore prepared his forces for this enterprise, he
sent them out at daybreak with torches in their hands, tow, and all kind
of combustible matters; and at the same time attacked all the engines. The
Romans exerted their utmost efforts to repel them, and the engagement was
very bloody. Every man, assailant as well as defendant, stood to his post,
and chose to die rather than quit it. At last, after a long resistance and
dreadful slaughter, the besieged sounded a retreat, and left the Romans in
possession of their works. This conflict being over, Hannibal embarked in
the night, and concealing his departure from the enemy, sailed for
Drepanum, where Adherbal commanded for the Carthaginians. Drepanum was
advantageously situated; having a commodious port, and lying about a
hundred and twenty furlongs from Lilybaeum; and the Carthaginians had been
always very desirous of preserving it.

The Romans, animated by their late success, renewed the attack with
greater vigour than ever; the besieged not daring to make a second attempt
to burn their machines, so much were they disheartened by the ill success
of the former. But a furious wind rising suddenly, some mercenary soldiers
represented to the governor, that now was the favourable opportunity for
them to fire the engines of the besiegers, especially as the wind blew
full against them; and they offered themselves for the enterprise. The
offer was accepted, and accordingly they were furnished with every thing
necessary. In a moment the fire caught all the engines; and the Romans
could not possibly extinguish it, because the flames being spread
instantly every where, the wind carried the sparks and smoke full in their
eyes, so that they could not see where to apply relief; whereas their
enemies saw clearly where to aim their strokes, and throw their fire. This
accident made the Romans lose all hopes of being ever able to carry the
place by force. They therefore turned the siege into a blockade; raised a
strong line of contravallation round the town; and, dispersing their army
in every part of the neighbourhood, resolved to effect by time, what they
found themselves absolutely unable to perform any other way.

When the transactions of the siege of Lilybaeum, and the loss of part of
the forces, were known at Rome, the citizens, so far from desponding at
th