ill tribes are broken up into
a very large number of small villages in isolated valleys, only uniting
when the order of the chief calls upon them to defend the mountains
against an invader, or to make a simultaneous raid upon the plains."

As they neared the village several persons were seen to issue out from
the gate, and among these was a small and elderly man, evidently
the chief of the party. His white hair descended to his waist; a boy
standing behind him carried his bow and several javelins. The rest of
the men appeared to be unarmed.

"He is a crafty looking old fellow," Malchus said as he alighted and
advanced towards the chief, "but I suppose he has made up his mind to
receive us as friends, at any rate for the present.

"I come, chief, as an ambassador from the Carthaginian general. When we
passed south he received messengers from you, saying that you were
ready to enter into an alliance with him. To this he agreed, and sent
presents. Since then you have done nothing, although he has sent to you
urging you to aid him by making an attack on the tribes allied to Rome.
In every battle which he has fought with the Romans he has defeated them
with great slaughter; but, owing to the aid which they have received
from the tribes in alliance with them, they are enabled continually to
put fresh armies in the field. Therefore it is that he has sent me to
you and to the other chiefs of the tribes inhabiting the mountains, to
urge you to descend with your forces into the plains, and so oblige the
tribes there to turn their attention to their own defence rather than to
the sending of assistance to Rome. He has sent by my hands many valuable
presents, and has authorized me to promise you, in his name, such lands
as you may wish to obtain beyond the foot of the hills. He promises you,
also, a share in the booty taken at the sack of the Italian cities."

"Will you please to enter," the chief said, speaking a patois of Latin
which Malchus found it difficult to understand. "We will then discuss
the matters concerning which you speak."

So saying he led the way through the gates to a hut somewhat larger than
the rest.

"Do you enter with me, Trebon, but let your men remain in their saddle,
and hold our horses in readiness for us to mount speedily if there be
need. I doubt the friendliness of this old fellow and his people."

Upon entering the hut Malchus observed at once that the walls were
covered with hangings which were