and enough flocks and herds to feed his army for three days.
Then descending from the top of the pass, which is now known as the
Gol-du-Chat, he entered the valley of Chambery, and marched forward for
three days without opposition.

Malchus and his scouts received the warmest congratulations for their
conduct at the pass, for they had undoubtedly saved the army from what
had at one time threatened to be a terrible disaster. On arrival at a
town supposed to be identical with the modern Conflans, the inhabitants
came out with green boughs and expressed their desire for peace and
friendship. They said that they had heard of the fate which had befallen
those who ventured to oppose the Carthaginians, and that they were
anxious to avoid such misfortunes. They offered to deliver hostages as a
proof of their good intentions, to supply sheep and goats for the army,
and to furnish guides through the difficult country ahead.

For two days the march continued. The route the army was passing was
that now known as the little St. Bernard. Fortunately Hannibal had from
the first entertained considerable doubt as to the good faith of his
guides, and never relaxed his vigilance. The scouts and light infantry,
with the cavalry, preceded the great column of baggage, the heavy
cavalry defended the rear.

The track, which had for the last five days' march proceeded along a
comparatively level valley, now mounted rapidly, and turning aside from
the valley of the Isere it led up the deep bed of the mountain torrent
known as the Reclus; this stream ran in a deep trough hollowed out in a
very narrow valley. The bed is now so piled with rocks and stones as to
be impassable, and the Romans afterwards cut a road along on the side
of the mountain. But at this time it was possible for men and animals to
proceed along the bed of the torrent.

Suddenly while struggling with the difficulties of the ascent, a vast
number of the natives appeared on the hills on either side, and began to
hurl down stones and rocks upon the column below, while at the same
time a still stronger force attacked them in the rear. The instant
the natives made their appearance the treacherous guides, who were
proceeding with the scouts at the head of the column, attempted to make
their escape by climbing the mountain side. The Arabs were starting off
in pursuit, but Malchus checked them.

"Keep together," he shouted, "and on no account scatter; the enemy are
upon us in force