new and fresh, and he detected some
costly armour half hidden in a corner.

"The Romans have been here before us," he muttered to his companion;
"the question is, how high have they bid for his support."

The chief took his seat on a roughly carved chair, and seats were
brought in for his visitors. He began by asking an account of the state
of affairs in the plains. Malchus answered him truthfully, except that
he exaggerated a little the effects that the Carthaginian victories
had produced among the natives. The chief asked many questions, and was
evidently by some means well informed on the subject. He then expressed
a desire to see the presents which they had brought him. Trebon went out
and returned with two soldiers bearing them.

"I don't like the look of things," he said in a low voice. "The number
of men in the village has trebled since we arrived, and they still keep
coming in. None of them show arms at present, but no doubt they
are hidden close at hand. I believe the chief is only keeping us in
conversation till he considers that a sufficient force has arrived to
make sure of us."

"We can't break it off now," Malchus said, "and must take our chance. It
would not do to ensure a failure by showing suspicion."

The chief examined the presents with great care and announced his
satisfaction at them. Then he entered upon the question of the land
which he was to receive, inquired whether the towns were to be captured
by the Carthaginians and handed over to him, or were to be captured
by his forces. When these points had been arranged, as it seemed,
satisfactorily, he entered upon questions in dispute between himself and
other chiefs of the mountain tribes. Malchus said he had no instructions
as to these points, which were new to him, but that in all questions
between the chief and tribes hostile to Carthage, full satisfaction
would be given him. As to those between himself and other chiefs, who
might also join against the Romans, if they elected to submit them to
Hannibal for decision he would arbitrate between them.

At this moment a horn was blown outside. A din of voices instantly
arose, which was followed immediately afterwards by the clashing of
weapons. Malchus and his companion leaped to their feet and rushed
from the hut. They found that their men were attacked by a crowd of
mountaineers. In an instant they leaped on their horses, and drawing
their swords joined in the fray. The number of their foes w