At the orders of their drivers the well trained animals broke into
a trot, and the party advanced from the shadow of the grove. The
natives scattered between it and the wood fired a volley of arrows
and then broke as the elephants charged down upon them. Trained
to warfare the elephants dashed among them, catching some up in
their trunks and dashing them lifeless to the ground, knocking down
and trampling upon others, scattering terror wherever they went,
while the archers on their backs kept up a deadly fire. As soon
as the way was open Hamilcar led the little party on foot at full
speed towards the wood.

As he entered it he ordered his trumpeter to blow his horn. The well
known signal revived the hopes and courage of the sorely pressed
troops, who, surprised and discouraged, had been losing ground,
great numbers falling before the arrows and javelins of their
swarming and active foes. The natives, surprised at the trumpet
sound in the rear, paused a moment, and before they could turn
round to face their unexpected adversaries, Hamilcar with his
little band burst his way through them and joined his soldiers, who,
gathered now in a close body in the centre of the grove, received
their leader with a shout of welcome.

Hamilcar's measures were promptly taken. He saw that if stationary
his band must melt away under the shower of missiles which was
being poured upon them. He gave the command and the troops rapidly
formed into three groups, the men of each corps gathering together.
Adherbal, who was in command of the Numidians, placed himself at
their head, Giscon led the Iberians, and Hamilcar headed the heavily
armed troops, Malchus taking his place at his side. Hamilcar had