s most opportune
at this sad moment."

"What has happened?" Hamilcar asked; "I have but this moment arrived,
and rode straight here to hear the news of what has taken place in my
absence."

"What! have you not heard?" they exclaimed; "for the last four days
nothing else has been talked of, nothing else thought of--Hasdrubal has
been assassinated!"

Hamilcar recoiled a step as if struck.

"Ye gods!" he exclaimed, "can this be so? Hasdrubal the handsome, as
he was well called, the true patriot, the great general, the eloquent
orator, the soul of generosity and patriotism, our leader and hope,
dead! Surely it cannot be."

"It is too true, Hamilcar. Hasdrubal is dead--slain by the knife of an
Iberian, who, it seems, has for months been in his service, awaiting
the chance for revenge for some injuries which his family or people have
suffered from our arms.

"It is a terrible blow. This morning a swift sailing ship has arrived
with the news that the army of Spain have with one voice acclaimed the
young Hannibal as their general, and that they demand the ratification
of their choice by the senate and people. Need I tell you how important
it is that this ratification should be gained? Hanno and his satellites
are furious, they are scattering money broadcast, and moving heaven and
earth to prevent the choice falling upon Hannibal, and to secure the
appointment for Hanno himself or one of his clique. They say that to
appoint a youth like this to such a position would be a thing unheard
of, that it would bring countless dangers upon the head of the
republic. We know, of course, that what they fear is not the youth and
inexperience, but the talent and genius of Hannibal.

"Young though he is, his wonderful abilities are recognized by us all.
His father, Hamilcar, had the very highest hopes of him, Hasdrubal has
written again and again saying that in his young kinsman he recognized
his superior, and that in loftiness of aim, in unselfish patriotism, in
clearness of judgment, in the marvellous ascendency he has gained over
the troops, in his talent in administration, and in the greatness of his
military conceptions, he saw in him a genius of the highest order. If
it be in man to overthrow the rising greatness of Rome, to reform our
disordered administration, to raise Carthage again to the climax of her
glory and power, that man is Hannibal.

"Thus, then, on him our hopes rest. If we can secure for him the command
of the ar