and, besides, would be considerably strengthened
by the forces and presence of Barca he came to a resolution at once; and,
notwithstanding the foul weather, made directly to the enemy. The consul
had choice forces, able seamen, and excellent ships, built after the model
of a galley that had been lately taken from the enemy; and which was the
completest in its kind that had ever been seen. The Carthaginians, on the
other hand, were destitute of all these advantages. As they had been the
entire masters at sea for some years, and the Romans did not once dare to
face them, they held them in the highest contempt, and looked upon
themselves as invincible. On the first report of the enemy being in
motion, the Carthaginians had put to sea a fleet fitted out in haste, as
appeared from every circumstance of it: the soldiers and seamen being all
mercenaries, newly levied, without the least experience, resolution, or
zeal, since it was not for their own country they were going to fight.
This soon appeared in the engagement. They could not sustain the first
attack. Fifty of their vessels were sunk, and seventy taken, with their
whole crews. The rest, favoured by a wind which rose very seasonably for
them, made the best of their way to the little island from whence they had
sailed. There were upwards of ten thousand taken prisoners. The consul
sailed immediately for Lilybaeum, and joined his forces to those of the
besiegers.

When the news of this defeat arrived at Carthage, it occasioned so much
the greater surprise and terror, as it was less expected. The senate,
however, did not lose their courage, though they saw themselves quite
unable to continue the war. As the Romans were now masters of the sea, it
was not possible for the Carthaginians to send either provisions, or
reinforcements, to the armies in Sicily. An express was therefore
immediately despatched to Barca, the general there, empowering him to act
as he should think proper. Barca, so long as he had room to entertain the
least hopes, had done every thing that could be expected from the most
intrepid courage and the most consummate wisdom. But having now no
resource left, he sent a deputation to the consul, in order to treat about
a peace. "Prudence," says Polybius, "consists in knowing how to resist and
yield at a seasonable juncture." Lutatius was not insensible how tired the
Romans were grown of a war, which had exhausted them both of men and
money; and the dreadful co