ing," he said indifferently, "and it
matters nothing to them whether we lose the trade of Spain or not."

"But it would make a difference," Malchus said, "if no more gold and
silver came from Spain, because then, you know, people wouldn't be
able to pay a good price for fish, and there would be bad times for you
fishermen. But that is not the worst of it. The Romans are so alarmed by
our progress in Spain that they are glad to keep friends with us, but if
we were driven out from there they would soon be at war again. You and
your sons would be pressed for the ships of war, and like enough you
might see the Roman fleets hovering on our coasts and picking up our
fishing boats."

"By Astarte," the fisherman exclaimed, "but that would be serious,
indeed; and you say all this will happen unless Hannibal remains as
general in Spain?"

"That is so," Malchus nodded.

"Then I tell you what, my boys," the fisherman said, rising and rubbing
his hands, "we must put our oars into this business. You hear what my
lord Malchus tells us. Get up, there is work to be done. Now, sir, what
is the best way to stop this affair you tell us of? If it's got to be
done we will do it, and I think I can answer for three or four thousand
fishing hands here who ain't going to stand by any more than I am and
see the bread taken out of their mouths. They know old Calcon, and will
listen to what he says. I will set about it at once."

"That is just what I want," Malchus said. "I want you and your sons to
go about among the fishermen and tell them what is proposed to be done,
and how ruinous it will be for them. You know how fond of fishermen I
am, and how sorry I should be to see them injured. You stir them up for
the next three or four days, and get them to boiling point. I will let
you know when the time comes. There are other trades who will be injured
by this business, and when the time comes you fishermen with your oars
in your hands must join the others and go through the streets shouting
'Hannibal for general! Down with Hanno and the tax gatherers!'"

"Down with the tax gatherers is a good cry," the old fisherman said.
"They take one fish of every four I bring in, and always choose the
finest. Don't you be afraid, sir; we will be there, oars and all, when
you give the word."

"And now I want you to tell me the names of a few men who have influence
among the sailors of the mercantile ships, and among those who load and
discharge the cargoe