imprudent, but can be trusted as one or ourselves. Being young
he will have the advantage of being less likely to be watched, and
may be doubly useful. He is ready to take the oath of our society."

As Giscon was the leading spirit of the band his recommendation
was taken as amply sufficient. The young men rose and formed in
a circle round Malchus. All drew their daggers, and one, whom Malchus
recognized with a momentary feeling of surprise as Carthalon, whom
Adherbal had pointed out at the Barcine Club as one who thought
only of horse racing, said:

"Do you swear by Moloch and Astarte to be true to this society, to
devote yourself to the destruction of the oppressors of Carthage,
to carry out all measures which may be determined upon, even at
the certain risk of your life, and to suffer yourself to be torn
to pieces by the torture rather than reveal aught that passes within
these walls?"

"That I swear solemnly," Malchus said.

"I need not say," Carthalon said carelessly, "that the punishment
of the violation of the oath is death. It is so put in our rules.
But we are all nobles of Carthage, and nobles do not break their
oaths, so we can let that pass. When a man's word is good enough
to make him beggar himself in order to discharge a wager, he can
be trusted to keep his word in a matter which concerns the lives
of a score of his fellows. And now that this business is arranged
we can go on with our talk; but first let us have some wine, for
all this talking is thirsty work at best."