al had abandoned all his baggage,
and was leading his army straight across the hills. This idea was
confirmed by the light troops, on gaining the crest of the hills,
commencing an attack upon the Romans posted below them in the pass
through which Hannibal intended to move. The Roman troops thereupon
quitted the pass, and scaled the heights to interrupt or harass the
retreating foe.

As soon as Hannibal saw the lights moving on the top of the hills
he commenced his march. The African infantry led the way; they were
followed by the cavalry; then came the baggage and booty, and the rear
was covered by the Spaniards and Gauls. The defile was found deserted by
its defenders, and the army marched through unopposed. Meanwhile Fabius
with his main army had remained inactive. The Roman general had seen
with astonishment the numerous lights making their way up the mountain
side, but he feared that this was some device on the part of Hannibal
to entrap him into an ambush, as he had entrapped Flaminius on Lake
Trasimene. He therefore held his army in readiness for whatever might
occur until morning broke.

Then he saw that he had been outwitted. The rear of the Carthaginian
army was just entering the defile, and in a short time Fabius saw the
Gauls and Spaniards scaling the heights to the assistance of their
comrades, who were maintaining an unequal fight with the Romans.
The latter were soon driven with slaughter into the plain, and the
Carthaginian troops descended into the defile and followed their
retreating army. Hannibal now came down into the fertile country of
Apulia, and determined to winter there. He took by storm the town of
Geronium, where he stored his supplies and placed his sick in shelter,
while his army occupied an intrenched camp which he formed outside the
town.

CHAPTER XVI: IN THE DUNGEONS OF CARTHAGE

Fabius, after the escape of Hannibal from the trap in which he believed
he had caught him, followed him into Apulia, and encamped on high ground
in his neighbourhood intending to continue the same waiting tactics.
He was, however, soon afterwards recalled to Rome to consult with the
senate on matters connected with the army. He left Minucius in command,
with strict orders that he should on no account suffer himself to be
enticed into a battle. Minucius moved forward to within five miles of
Geronium, and then encamped upon a spur of the hills.

Hannibal, aware that Fabius had left, hoped to be able to