have been enslaved by us.

"This was well enough in the early days of the colony when it was
Phoenician arms alone that won our battles and subdued our rivals. In
our days we are few and the populace are many. Our armies are composed
not of Phoenicians, but of the races conquered by us. Libya and Numidia,
Sicily, Sardinia, and Spain, all in turn conquered by us, now furnish us
with troops.

"Carthage is a mighty city, but it is no longer a city of Phoenicians.
We form but a small proportion of the population. It is true that all
power rests in our hands, that from our ranks the senate is chosen, the
army officered, and the laws administered, but the expenses of the state
are vast. The conquered people fret under the heavy tributes which they
have to pay, and the vile populace murmur at the taxes.

"In Italy, Rome looms greater and more powerful year by year. Her people
are hardy and trained to arms, and some day the struggle between us
and her will have to be fought out to the death. Therefore, my son,
it behooves us to use every effort to make ourselves worthy of our
position. Set before yourself the example of your cousin Hannibal,
who, young as he is, is already viewed as the greatest man in Carthage.
Grudge no hardship or suffering to harden your frame and strengthen your
arms.

"Some day you too may lead armies in the field, and, believe me, they
will follow you all the better and more cheerfully if they know that in
strength and endurance, as well as in position, their commander is the
foremost man in his army."

Malchus had been an apt pupil, and had done justice to the pains which
his father had bestowed upon him and to the training he had undergone.
He could wield the arms of a man, could swim the coldest river, endure
hardship and want of food, traverse long distances at the top of his
speed, could throw a javelin with unerring aim, and send an arrow to the
mark as truly as the best of the Libyan archers.

"The sun is going down fast, father," the lad said, "the shadows are
lengthening and the heat is declining."

"We have only your word for the decline of the heat, Malchus," one of
the younger men laughed; "I feel hotter than ever. This is the fifteenth
time that you have been to the door of the tent during the last half
hour. Your restlessness is enough to give one the fever."

"I believe that you are just as eager as I am, Adherbal," the boy
replied laughing. "It's your first lion hunt as well as