to the aspirations of his kinsman Giscon than to the more sober
counsels of his father. He had burned with shame and anger as he
heard the tale of the disasters which had befallen his country,
because she had made money her god, had suffered her army and her
navy to be regarded as secondary objects, and had permitted the
command of the sea to be wrested from her by her wiser and more
far seeing rival.

As evening closed in the stir in the neighbouring camp aroused
Malchus from his thoughts, and the anticipation of the lion hunt,
in which he was about to take part, again became foremost.

The camp was situated twenty days' march from Carthage at the foot
of some hills in which lions and other beasts of prey were known
to abound, and there was no doubt that they would be found that
evening.

The expedition had been despatched under the command of Hamilcar
to chastise a small tribe which had attacked and plundered some
of the Carthaginian caravans on their way to Ethiopia, then a rich
and prosperous country, wherein were many flourishing colonies,
which had been sent out by Carthage.

The object of the expedition had been but partly successful. The
lightly clad tribesmen had taken refuge far among the hills, and,
although by dint of long and fatiguing marches several parties had
been surprised and slain, the main body had evaded all the efforts
of the Carthaginian general.

The expedition had arrived at its present camping place on the