us replied. "There will be lots to be
done, and we shall all do our utmost."

"Listen to him, mother," Anna, the younger sister, said, clapping her
hands; "this comes of slaying lions and combating with the Atarantes; do
not let us hinder him; beg the slaves to bring round a horse instantly.
Carthage totters, let Malchus fly to its support. What part are you
thinking of taking, my brother, do you mean to harangue the people, or
to urge the galley slaves to revolt, or to lead the troops against the
council?"

The two girls burst into a peal of merry laughter, in which Malchus,
although colouring a little, joined heartily.

"You are too bad, Anna; what I want is, of course, to hear what has been
done, and to join in the excitement, and really I am not such a boy as
you girls think me, just because you happen to be two or three years
older than I am. You persist in regarding me as a child; father doesn't
do so, and I can tell you I may be more good than you think."

"Well, go along, Malchus, do not let us keep you, and don't get into
mischief and remember, my boy," his mother added, "that Carthage is a
place where it is well that no one should make more enemies than he can
help. A secret foe in the council or among the judges is enough to ruin
the strongest. You know how many have been crucified or pressed to death
without a shadow of pretext, save that they had foes. I would not see
you other than your father's son; you will belong, of course, to the
Barcine party, but there is no occasion to draw enmity and hate upon
yourself before you are in a position to do real service to the cause.
And now ride off with you; I know all our words are falling on deaf
ears, and that willful lads will go their own way."

A few minutes later and Malchus was on his way back to the club. On his
arrival there he found that the sitting of the inner council was not
yet finished. The building was thronged with the adherents of the party
waiting to ascertain what course was determined upon. He presently
came across Adherbal and Giscon. The former, as usual, was gay, light
hearted, and disposed to view matters in a humorous light; Giscon was
stern and moody.

"So, here you are again, Malchus," Adherbal said. "I thought you would
soon be back. I am glad you have come, for Giscon here grows monotonous
as a companion. Nature in making him forgot to give him that spice of
humour which is to existence what seasoning is to meat. I am ready to
f