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 cargoes; their interest is threatened
as well as yours. I am commissioned to pay handsomely all who
do their best for the cause, and I promise you that you and your
sons shall earn as much in four days' work as in a month's toiling
on the sea. The Barcine Club is known to be the true friend of
Carthage, the opponent of those who grind down the people, and it
will spare no money to see that this matter is well carried out."

The fisherman at once went round with Malchus to the abodes of
several men regarded as authorities by the sailors and stevedores.
With these, partly by argument, but much more by the promises
of handsome pay for their exertions, Malchus established an
understanding, and paved the way for a popular agitation among the
working classes of the waterside in favour of Hannibal.