had it not been for the military successes which flattered the
patriotic feelings of the populace.

The loss of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily had been atoned for
by the conquest of the greater portion of Spain by Hamilcar, and
that general might eventually have carried out his plans for the
purification of the government of Carthage had he not fallen in
a battle with the Iberians. This loss was a terrible blow to the
Barcine faction, but the deep feeling of regret among the population
at the death of their great general enabled them to carry the
election of Hasdrubal to be one of the suffetes in his place, and
to obtain for him the command of the army in Spain.

There was the less difficulty in the latter appointment, since
Hanno's party were well content that the popular leader should be
far removed from the capital. Hasdrubal proved himself a worthy
successor of his father-in-law. He carried out the policy inaugurated
by the latter, won many brilliant victories over the Iberians,
fortified and firmly established Carthagena as a port and city
which seemed destined to rival the greatness of its mother city,
and Carthage saw with delight a great western settlement growing in
power which promised to counterbalance the influence of the ever
spreading territory of her great rival in Italy.

After seeing his detachment safely lodged in the barracks Hamilcar
and his companions rode along the streets to the Barcine Syssite,
or club, one of the grandest buildings in Carthage. Throwing the
reins of their horses to some slaves who stood in readiness at
the foot of the steps, they entered the building. As they rode
through the streets they had noticed that the population appeared