ight if it comes to fighting, to orate if talking is necessary, and
to do anything else which may be within the limits of my powers, but I
can't for the life of me take matters as if the existence of the state
depended on me alone. I have already heard that all is well with you at
home. I shall ride out there and see your mother when this business is
over. What they can find to talk about so long I can't make out.

"The question is a simple one, surely. Will it be better for Carthage at
large, and our party in particular, for Hannibal to stay at the head
of the army in Spain, or to come home and bring the influence of his
popularity and reputation to bear upon the populace? There is the
question put in a nutshell, and if they can't decide upon it let them
toss up. There is virtue, I am ready to maintain, in an appeal to dame
Fortune.

"Look round now, Malchus, is it not amusing to study men's characters.
Look at little Philene going about among the groups, standing on tiptoe
to whisper into the ear first of one and then of another. He prides
himself on his knowledge of affairs, and in his heart believes that
he is shamefully wronged inasmuch as he is not already on the secret
committee.

"Look at Bomilca leaning against that pillar and lazily pulling his
mustache, an easygoing giant, who looks upon the whole thing as a
nuisance, but who, if he received orders from the conclave, would put
himself at the head of the Libyans, and would march to storm Hanno's
house, and to slaughter his Nubian guard without a question.

"Look at Magon's face of importance as he walks about without speaking
to anyone. He is trying to convey to all the impression that he knows
perfectly well what is going on inside, and could if he chose tell
you what the decision will be. There is Carthalon, who is thinking at
present, I warrant, more of the match which he has made of his Arab
steed against that of his comrade Phano, than of the matter in hand.
But see, there is a stir, the curtains are drawing aside at last, the
meeting is over."

As he spoke the heavy curtains which shut off an inner room from the
hall were drawn aside, and the council of the Syssite came out. Each
was speedily surrounded by a group of the members of his own family, or
those who specially looked up to him as a leader. Malchus and the two
young officers were among those who gathered round Hamilcar.

"It has been decided," the general said, "that Hannibal shall be
ret