r would
soon be removed into Asia, and that he would soon see the enemy at his
gates: that he must resolve, either to abdicate his throne, or oppose
vigorously a people who grasped at the empire of the world. This discourse
awakened, in some little measure, the king out of his lethargy, and
prompted him to make some weak efforts. But, as his conduct was unsteady,
after sustaining a great many considerable losses, he was forced to
terminate the war by an ignominious peace; one of the articles of which
was, that he should deliver up Hannibal to the Romans. However, the latter
did not give him opportunity to put it in execution, but retired to the
island of Crete, to consider there what course it would be best for him to
take.

The riches he had brought along with him, of which the people of the
island got some notice, had like to have proved his ruin.(832) Hannibal
was never wanting in stratagems, and he had occasion to employ them now,
to save both himself and his treasure. He filled several vessels with
molten lead, the tops of which he just covered over with gold and silver.
These he deposited in the temple of Diana, in presence of several Cretans,
to whose honesty, he said, he confided all his treasure. A strong guard
was then posted round the temple, and Hannibal left at full liberty, from
a supposition that his riches were secured. (M136) But he had concealed
them in hollow statues of brass,(833) which he always carried along with
him. And then, embracing a favourable opportunity to make his escape, he
fled to the court of Prusias, king of Bithynia.(834)

It appears from history, that he made some stay in the court of this
prince, who soon engaged in war with Eumenes, king of Pergamus, a
professed friend to the Romans. By means of Hannibal, the troops of
Prusias gained several victories both by land and sea.

He employed a stratagem of an extraordinary kind, in a sea-fight.(835) As
the enemy's fleet consisted of more ships than his, he had recourse to
artifice. He put into earthen vessels all kinds of serpents, and ordered
these vessels to be thrown into the enemy's ships. His chief aim was to
destroy Eumenes; and for that purpose it was necessary for him to find out
which ship he was on board of. This Hannibal discovered by sending out a
boat, upon pretence of conveying a letter to him. Having gained his point
thus far, he ordered the commanders of the respective vessels to direct
their attack principally against