rode into the midst of the Roman army, who had
made a day's march from their ships and were just halting for the night.
The commander of the cavalry at once hastened to Scipio's tent to inform
him of the surprising fact that Hannibal had already, in the face of
the opposition of the tribes, forced the passage of the Rhone, and that,
with the exception of the elephants, which had been seen still on the
opposite bank, all the army were across.

Scipio was greatly mortified at the intelligence, for he had deemed it
next to impossible that Hannibal could carry his army across so wide and
rapid a river in the face of opposition. He had little doubt now that
Hannibal's intention was to follow the Rhone down on its left bank to
its mouth, and he prepared at once for a battle. Hearing that a prisoner
of some importance had been captured, he ordered Malchus to be brought
before him. As the lad, escorted by a Roman soldier on each side, was
led in, Scipio, accustomed to estimate men, could not but admire the
calm and haughty self possession of his young prisoner. His eye fell
with approval upon his active sinewy figure, and the knotted muscles of
his arms and legs.

"You are Malchus, a relation of Hannibal, and the commander of the
scouts of his army, I hear," Scipio began.

Malchus bowed his head in assent.

"What force has he with him, and what are his intentions?"

"I know nothing of his intentions," Malchus replied quietly, "as to his
force, it were better that you inquired of your allies, who saw us pass
the river. One of them was brought hither with me, and can tell you what
he saw."

"Know you not," Scipio said, "that I can order you to instant execution
if you refuse to answer my questions?"

"Of that I am perfectly well aware," Malchus replied; "but I
nevertheless refuse absolutely to answer any questions."

"I will give you until tomorrow morning to think the matter over, and if
by that time you have not made up your mind to give me the information I
require, you die."

So saying he waved his hand to the soldiers, who at once removed Malchus
from his presence. He was taken to a small tent a short distance away,
food was given to him, and at nightfall chains were attached to his
ankles, and from these to the legs of two Roman soldiers appointed to
guard him during the night, while a sentry was placed at the entrance.
The chains were strong, and fitted so tightly round the ankles that
escape was altogether imp