sail in the same ship which carried Hamilcar. The scene was a busy
one -- the docks of Carthage were extensive, and the ships which
were to convey the expedition lay in deep water by the quays, so
that the troops could march on board. A great crowd of the populace
had assembled to view the embarkation. These were with difficulty
kept from crowding the troops and impeding their movement by a
cordon of soldiers.

As the troops marched on to the quay they were formed up in parties
by the side of the ships which were to convey them. Very different
was the demeanour of the men of the different nationalities. The
Libyans were stern and silent, they were part of the contingent
which their state was bound to furnish to Carthage, and went
unwillingly, cursing in their hearts the power which tore them from
their homes to fight in a war in which they had neither concern
nor interest.

Near them were a body of Garamantes, wrapped in the long bernous
which then as now was the garb of the children of the desert.
Tall, swarthy figures these, lissome and agile, with every muscle
standing out clear through the brown skin. Strange as must have
been the scene to them, there was no wonder expressed in the keen
glances which they shot around them from underneath their dark
eyebrows. Silent and taciturn, scarce a word was to be heard among
them as they stood awaiting the orders to embark; they were there
unwillingly, and their hearts were far away in the distant desert,
but none the less would they be willing to fight when the time
came. Terrible foes these would be in a night attack, with their
stealthy tiger-like tread, their gleaming, vengeful eyes, and
their cruel mouths.