ng the swords, spears, and
shields of their fallen foes, dashed on at full speed. The Romans soon
followed, but with the weight of their weapons, armour, and helmets
they were speedily distanced, and the fugitives reached the edge of the
forest in safety and dashed into its recesses.

After running for some distance they halted, knowing that the Romans
would not think of pursuing except with a large force. The forests which
covered the mountains of Sardinia were for the most part composed of
evergreen oak, with, in some places, a thick undergrowth of shrubs and
young trees. Through this the Carthaginians made their way with some
difficulty, until, just as it became dark, they reached the bottom of a
valley comparatively free of trees and through which ran a clear stream.

"Here we will halt for the night," Malchus said; "there is no fear of
the Romans pursuing at once, if indeed they do so at all, for their
chance of finding us in these mountains, covered with hundreds of square
miles of forests, is slight indeed; however, we will at once provide
ourselves with weapons."

The five Roman swords were put into requisition, and some straight
young saplings were felled, and their points being sharpened they were
converted into efficient spears, each some fourteen feet long.

"It is well we have supped," Malchus said; "our breakfast will depend
on ourselves. Tomorrow we must keep a sharp lookout for smoke rising
through the trees; there are sure to be numbers of charcoal burners in
the forest, for upon them the Romans depend for their fuel. One of the
first things to do is to obtain a couple of lighted brands. A fire is
essential for warmth among these hills, even putting aside its uses for
cooking."

"That is when we have anything to cook," Halco said laughingly.

"That is certainly essential," Malchus agreed; "but there is sure to be
plenty of wild boar and deer among these forests. We have only to find a
valley with a narrow entrance, and post ourselves there and send all the
men to form a circle on the hills around it and drive them down to us;
besides, most likely we shall come across herds of goats and pigs, which
the villagers in the lower valleys will send up to feed on the acorns. I
have no fear but we shall be able to obtain plenty of flesh; as to corn,
we have only to make a raid down into the plain, and when we have found
out something about the general lay of the country, the hills and the
extent of the for