some who had left Carthage only a few months before and were known
to Malchus. From them he learned with delight that the troops
would take the field at once.

"We are going on a campaign against the Vacaei," one of them said.
"The army marched out two days since. Hannibal has been waiting
here for your arrival, for a fast sailing ship which started a few
hours after you brought the news that you were on your way, and
you will set off to join the rest without delay. It is going to
be a hard campaign."

"Where is the country of the Vacaei?" Malchus asked.

"A long way off," the other replied. "The marches will be long
and tiresome. Their country lies somewhat to the northwest of the
great plateau in the centre of Iberia. We shall have to ascend
the mountains on this side, to cross the plateau, to follow the
rivers which flow to the great ocean."

The Vacaei, in fact, dwelt in the lands bordered by the upper
Duero, their country comprising a portion of old Castille, Leon,
and the Basque provinces. The journey would indeed be a long and
difficult one; and Hannibal was undertaking the expedition not
only to punish the turbulent Vacaei, who had attacked some of the
tribes which had submitted to Carthage, but to accustom the troops
to fatigues and hardships, and to prepare them for the great
expedition which he had in view. No time was indeed lost, for as
soon as the troops were landed they were formed up and at once
started on their march.