ants and troops, and the loud shouts of the
latter for Hannibal, quickly put an end to the tumult. Hanno's hired
mob, seeing that they could do nothing against such adversaries, at once
broke up and fled to their own quarters of the city, and Hanno and his
adherents sought their own houses. The quiet citizens, seeing that the
fight was over, issued from their houses, and the forum was soon again
crowded.

The proceedings were now unanimous, and the shouts raised that the
senate should assemble and confirm the vote of the army were loud and
strenuous. Parties of men went out in all directions to the houses of
the senators to tell them the people demanded their presence at the
forum. Seeing the uselessness of further opposition, and fearing the
consequences if they resisted, Hanno and his friends no longer offered
any opposition.

The senate assembled, and, by a unanimous vote the election of Hannibal
as one of the suffetes in place of Hasdrubal, and as commander-in-chief
of the army in Spain, was carried, and was ratified by that of the
popular assembly, the traders and manufacturers of Hanno's party not
venturing to oppose the will of the mass of mechanics and seafaring
population.

"It has been a victory," Hamilcar said, when, accompanied by a number of
his friends, he returned to his home that evening, "but Hanno will not
forget or forgive the events of this day. As long as all goes well in
Spain we may hope for the support of the people, but should any disaster
befall our arms it will go hard with all who have taken a prominent part
in this day's proceedings. Hanno's friends have so much at stake that
they will not give up the struggle. They have at their back all the
moneys which they wring from the people and the tributaries of Carthage,
and they will work night and day to strengthen their party and to buy
over the lower classes. We are the stronger at present; but to carry
the popular vote on a question which would put a stop to the frightful
corruption of our administration, to suppress the tyranny of the
council, to sweep away the abuses which prevail in every class in the
state--for that we must wait till Hannibal returns victorious. Let him
but humble the pride of Rome, and Carthage will be at his feet."

The party were in high spirits at the result of the day's proceedings.
Not only had they succeeded in their principal object of electing
Hannibal, but they had escaped from a great personal danger; for,