my son, it behooves us to use every effort to make ourselves worthy
of our position. Set before yourself the example of your cousin
Hannibal, who, young as he is, is already viewed as the greatest
man in Carthage. Grudge no hardship or suffering to harden your
frame and strengthen your arms.

"Some day you too may lead armies in the field, and, believe me,
they will follow you all the better and more cheerfully if they
know that in strength and endurance, as well as in position, their
commander is the foremost man in his army."

Malchus had been an apt pupil, and had done justice to the pains
which his father had bestowed upon him and to the training he had
undergone. He could wield the arms of a man, could swim the coldest
river, endure hardship and want of food, traverse long distances
at the top of his speed, could throw a javelin with unerring aim,
and send an arrow to the mark as truly as the best of the Libyan
archers.

"The sun is going down fast, father," the lad said, "the shadows
are lengthening and the heat is declining."

"We have only your word for the decline of the heat, Malchus," one
of the younger men laughed; "I feel hotter than ever. This is the
fifteenth time that you have been to the door of the tent during
the last half hour. Your restlessness is enough to give one the
fever."

"I believe that you are just as eager as I am, Adherbal," the boy
replied laughing. "It's your first lion hunt as well as mine, and