hey are neglecting us," he said to Adherbal, "until they have finished
with the main body; we must go to their assistance. At present our men
are fighting without order or regularity. Unless their leaders are with
them they are lost, our presence will encourage and reanimate them.
Bring up the elephants quickly."

The three elephants were at once brought forward, their drivers mounted
on their necks. Four soldiers with their bows and arrows took their
places on the back of each, the general with the rest of the fighting
men followed closely behind.

At the orders of their drivers the well trained animals broke into a
trot, and the party advanced from the shadow of the grove. The natives
scattered between it and the wood fired a volley of arrows and then
broke as the elephants charged down upon them. Trained to warfare
the elephants dashed among them, catching some up in their trunks and
dashing them lifeless to the ground, knocking down and trampling upon
others, scattering terror wherever they went, while the archers on their
backs kept up a deadly fire. As soon as the way was open Hamilcar led
the little party on foot at full speed towards the wood.

As he entered it he ordered his trumpeter to blow his horn. The well
known signal revived the hopes and courage of the sorely pressed troops,
who, surprised and discouraged, had been losing ground, great numbers
falling before the arrows and javelins of their swarming and active
foes. The natives, surprised at the trumpet sound in the rear, paused
a moment, and before they could turn round to face their unexpected
adversaries, Hamilcar with his little band burst his way through them
and joined his soldiers, who, gathered now in a close body in the centre
of the grove, received their leader with a shout of welcome.

Hamilcar's measures were promptly taken. He saw that if stationary his
band must melt away under the shower of missiles which was being poured
upon them. He gave the command and the troops rapidly formed into three
groups, the men of each corps gathering together. Adherbal, who was in
command of the Numidians, placed himself at their head, Giscon led the
Iberians, and Hamilcar headed the heavily armed troops, Malchus taking
his place at his side. Hamilcar had already given his orders to the
young officers. No response was to be made to the fire of the arrows and
javelins, but with spear, sword, and battleaxe the troops were to fall
upon the natives.

"Char