who, belonging to the tribes first subdued by Carthage, had either
been forced to settle here to supply manual labour needed for the
rising city, or who had voluntarily abandoned their wandering life
and adopted the more settled habitudes and more assured comforts
of existence in a great town.

Skirting the lower part of the city, Hamilcar's force marched along
the isthmus and crossed the bridge over the canal cut through it,
and was soon in the country beyond. The ground rose gradually, and
after marching for six miles the brigade was halted at a spot to
which Hannibal had, when the fleet was first discerned approaching
along the coast, despatched some bullocks and other provisions for
their use. The march was a short one, but after a week's confinement
on board ship the men were little fitted for a long journey. The
bullocks and other rations were served out to the various companies,
and the work of preparing the repast began. Malchus was amused,
although rather disgusted at his first experience in a real campaign.
When with Hamilcar on the expedition against the Atarantes he had
formed part of his father's suite and had lived in luxury. He was
now a simple soldier, and was called upon to assist to cut up the
bullock which had fallen to the share of the Carthaginian cavalry.

Some of the party went out to cut and bring in wood for the fires
and cooking; others moistened the flour and made dough for the
flat cakes which would be baked in the hot embers and eaten with
the meat. Loud shouts of laughter rose as the young soldiers worked
at their unaccustomed tasks, superintended by the officers, who,
having all made several campaigns, were able to instruct them as
to their duties. From a culinary point of view the meal could not
be pronounced a success, and was, indeed, a contrast to the food