n. The generals repeated it to their immediate staffs, these
informed the other officers, and the news speedily spread through the
army that they were marching against Saguntum. The importance of the
news was felt by all. Saguntum was the near ally of Rome, and an attack
upon that city could but mean that Carthage was entering upon another
struggle with her great rival.

Saguntum lay about 140 miles north of Carthagena, and the army had to
cross the range of mountains now known as the Sierra Morena, which
run across the peninsula from Cape St. Vincent on the west to Cape St.
Martin on the east. The march of so large an army, impeded as it was
by a huge train of wagons with stores and the machines necessary for a
siege, was toilsome and arduous in the extreme. But all worked with the
greatest enthusiasm and diligence; roads were made with immense labour
through forests, across ravines, and over mountain streams.

Hannibal himself was always present, encouraging the men by his praises,
and sharing all their hardships.

At last the mountains were passed, and the army poured down into
the fertile plains of Valencia, which town, however, was not then in
existence. Passing over the site where it is now situated they continued
their march north until Saguntum, standing on Its rocky eminence, came
into view.

During the march Malchus and his company had led the way, guided by
natives, who pointed out the easiest paths. As there were no enemies to
be guarded against, they had taken their full share in the labours of
the army.

The Saguntines were already aware of the approach of the expedition. No
sooner had it crossed the crest of the mountains than native runners
had carried the news of its approach, and the inhabitants had spent the
intervening time in laying in great stores of provisions, and in making
every preparation for defence. The garrison was small in comparison with
the force marching against it, but it was ample for the defence of the
walls, for its position rendered the city well nigh impregnable against
the machines in use at the time, and was formidable in the extreme even
against modern artillery, for 2000 years afterwards Saguntum, with a
garrison of 3000 men, resisted for a long time all the efforts of a
French army under General Suchet. As soon as his force arrived near the
town Hannibal rode forward, and, in accordance with the custom of the
times, himself summoned the garrison to surrender. Upon their