she had been viewed with curiosity
and interest by those who were on board the ships at anchor. That she
was an Italian galley was clear, and also that she was crowded with men,
but no suspicion was entertained that these were Carthaginians.

The anchor once cast Malchus held a council with the other officers.
They were in the midst of foes, and escape seemed altogether impossible.
Long before the gale abated sufficiently to permit them to put to sea
again, they would be visited by boats from the other vessels to ask who
they were and whence they came. As to fighting their way out it was out
of the question, for there were a score of triremes in the bay, any
one of which could crush the Capuan galley, and whose far greater speed
rendered the idea of flight as hopeless as that of resistance. The
council therefore agreed unanimously that the only thing to be done was
to surrender without resistance.

The storm continued for another twenty-four hours, then the wind died
out almost as suddenly as it began.

As soon as the sea began to abate two galleys were seen putting out from
the town, and these rowed directly towards the ship. The fact that she
had shown no flag had no doubt excited suspicion in the minds of the
garrison. Each galley contained fifty soldiers. As they rowed alongside
a Roman officer on the poop of one of the galleys hailed the ship, and
demanded whence it came.

"We are from Capua," the pilot answered. "The gale has blown us across
thence. I have on board fifty Carthaginian officers and soldiers, who
now surrender to you."

As in those days, when vessels could with difficulty keep the sea in a
storm, and in the event of a gale springing up were forced to run before
it, it was by no means unusual for galleys to be blown into hostile
ports, the announcement excited no great surprise.

"Who commands the party?" the Roman officer asked.

"I do," Malchus replied. "I am Malchus, the son of Hamilcar, who was
killed at the Trebia, a cousin of Hannibal and captain of his guard. I
surrender with my followers, seeing that resistance is hopeless."

"It is hopeless," the Roman replied, "and you are right not to throw
away the lives of your men when there is no possibility of resistance."

As he spoke he stepped on board, ordered the anchor to be weighed, and
the galley, accompanied by the two Roman boats, was rowed to the landing
place. A messenger was at once sent up to Mucius to tell him what had
happened