and stores which were stored away in the hulls; and, having assured
himself that everything was in order, he gave the signal to his
trumpeter, who again blew a long and piercing blast.

The work of embarkation at once commenced. The infantry were soon
on board, but the operation of shipping the horses of the cavalry
took longer. Half of these were stored away in the hold of the
general's ship, the rest in another vessel. When the troops were
all on board the soldiers who had kept back the crowd were withdrawn,
and the Carthaginians thronged down on to the quay. A small space
was still kept clear on the wharf by whose side the admiral's ship
was lying, and here was gathered a throng of the aristocracy of
the city to see the last of their sons and relatives of the guard.

Having seen their horses safely stowed below the young men crowded
to the side of the ship to exchange adieus with their friends.
The parting was a brief one, for the wind was fair, and the general
anxious to be well out of the bay before nightfall. Therefore
the signal was hoisted. Numbers of slaves seized the hawsers of
the ships and towed them along through the narrow passage which
connected the docks with the sea. A shout of adieu rose from the
crowd, the sails were hoisted, and the fleet proceeded on its way.

The arrangements for the comfort of the troops at sea were simple
and primitive. Each man shifted for himself. The whole space below
was occupied by cargo or horses. The troops lived and slept on
deck. Here, on wide flat stones, they cooked their meals, whiled
away the day by games of chance, and slept at night on skins
or thick rugs. Fortunately the weather was fair. It was early in
March, but the nights were not cold.