Very different were the band of Ethiopians from the distant Soudan,
with their cloaks of lion skin, and the gaudy feathers fastened
in a fillet round their heads. Their black faces were alive with
merriment and wonder -- everything was new and extraordinary to
them. The sea, the ships, the mighty city, the gathered crowd,
all excited their astonishment, and their white teeth glistened as
they chatted incessantly with a very babel of laughter and noise.

Not less light hearted were the chosen band of young nobles grouped
by the general's ship. Their horses were held in ranks behind them
for the last time by their slaves, for in future they would have
to attend to them themselves, and as they gathered in groups they
laughed and jested over the last scandal in Carthage, the play
which had been produced the night before at the theatre, or the horse
race which was to be run on the following day. As to the desperate
work on which they were to be engaged -- for it was whispered that
Hannibal had in preparation some mighty enterprise -- it troubled
them not at all, nor the thought that many of them might never
look on Carthage again. In their hearts perhaps some of them, like
Malchus, were thinking sadly of the partings they had just gone
through with those they loved, but no signs of such thoughts were
apparent in their faces or conversation.

Presently a blast of trumpets sounded, and the babel of voices was
hushed as if by magic. The soldiers fell into military order, and
stood motionless. Then Hamilcar walked along the quays inspecting
carefully each group, asking questions of the captains of the
ships as to their store of provisions and water, receiving from
the officers charged with that duty the lists of the war machines