Conspicuous among them were the sailors and fishermen from the
port, armed with oars, and the gang of stevedores with heavy clubs.
Hanno and a large number of his party hurried down to the spot and
tried to pacify the crowd, but the yells of execration were so
loud and continuous that they were forced to leave the forum. The
leaders of the Barcine party now appeared on the scene, and their
most popular orator ascended the rostrum. When the news spread
among the crowd that he was a friend of Hannibal and an opponent
of Hanno, the tumult was stayed in order that all might hear his
words.

"My friends," he said, "I am glad to see that Carthage is still
true to herself, and that you resent the attempt made by a faction
to remove the general of the army's choice, the son of the great
Hamilcar Barca. To him and to Hasdrubal, his son-in-law, you owe
the conquest of Spain, you owe the wealth which has of late years
poured into Carthage, you owe the trade which is already doing so
much to mitigate your condition. What have Hanno and his friends
done that you should listen to him? It is their incapacity which
has lost Carthage so many of its possessions. It is their greed
and corruption which place such burdens on your backs. They claim
that they are generous. It is easy to be generous with the money
of which they have plundered you; but let them know your will, and
they must bend before it. Tell them that you will have Hannibal
and none other as the general of your armies, and Spain is secure,
and year by year your commerce with that country will increase
and flourish."

A roar of assent arose from the crowd. At the same instant a tumult
was heard at the lower entrance to the forum, and the head of