es, and waited till the heat
of the day was past; then they rose and walked on until, after darkness
had fallen, they entered the town of Capua. They had no difficulty in
discovering the palace where Hannibal was lodged. They were stopped at
the entrance by the guards, who gave a cry of surprise and pleasure when
Malchus revealed himself. At first they could hardly credit that, in the
dark skinned peasant, their own commander stood before them, and as the
news spread rapidly the officers of the corps ran down and saluted him
with a joyous greeting. While this was going on Clotilde shrank back out
of the crowd.

As soon as he could extricate himself from his comrades, Malchus joined
her, and led her to Hannibal, who, hearing the unusual stir, was issuing
from his apartment to see what had occasioned it. The shouts of "Long
live Malchus!" which rose from the soldiers informed him of what had
happened, and he at once recognized his kinsman in the figure advancing
to meet him.

"My dear Malchus," he exclaimed, "this is a joyous surprise. I have been
in vain endeavouring to get you out of the hands of the Romans, but they
were obstinate in refusing an exchange; but knowing your adroitness, I
have never given up hopes of seeing you appear some day among us. But
whom have you here?" he asked as he re-entered his room accompanied by
Malchus and his companion.

"This is Clotilde, daughter of Allobrigius, the chief of the Orcan
tribe," Malchus replied, "and my affianced wife. Her father has been
defeated and killed by Postumius, and she was carried as a slave to
Rome. There good fortune and the gods threw us together, and I have
managed to bring her with me."

"I remember you, of course," Hannibal said to the girl, "and that I
joked my young kinsman about you. This is well, indeed; but we must see
at once about providing you with proper garments. There are no females
in my palace, but I will send at once for Chalcus, who is now captain of
my guard, and who has married here in Capua, and beg him to bring hither
his wife; she will l am sure take charge of you, and furnish you with
garments."

Clotilde was soon handed over to the care of the Italian lady, and
Malchus then proceeded to relate to Hannibal the various incidents which
had occurred since he had sailed from Capua for Sardinia. He learned in
return that the mission of Mago to Carthage had been unsuccessful. He
had brought over a small reinforcement of cavalry and ele