overwhelming and great.

Even Giscon, generally grave and gloomy, was as light hearted as
the rest. The aristocracy of Carthage were, like the aristocracy
of all other countries, from tradition, training, and habit, brave
to excess. Just as centuries later the noblesse of France chatted
gaily on the tumbril on their way to execution, and offered each
other their snuff boxes on the scaffold, so these young aristocrats
of Carthage smiled and jested, though well aware that they were
risking their lives.

No decision was arrived at, for this could only be decided upon at
a special meeting, at which all the members of the society would
be present. Among those now in council opinions were nearly equally
divided. The one party urged that, did they take steps to prepare
the populace for a rising, a rumour would be sure to meet the ears
of their opponents and they would be on their guard; whereas, if
they scattered quickly after each section had slain two of their
tyrants, the operation might be repeated until all the influential
men of Hanno's faction had been removed.

In reply to these arguments the other party urged that delays were
always dangerous, that huge rewards would be offered after the
first attempts, that some of the men of the sections might turn
traitors, that Hanno's party would be on their guard in future,
and that the judges would effect wholesale arrests and executions;
whereas, were the populace appealed to in the midst of the excitement
which would be caused by the death of Hanno and his principal
adherents, the people would rise and finish with their tyrants.