fire to, and hurled blazing at the enemy -- lighter darts called
mat ras saunions, pikes with curved heads, resembling the halberds
of later times; and straight swords. Hannibal, however, finding the
inconvenience of this diversity of weapons, had armed his Gaulish
troops only with their long straight swords. These were without
point, and made for cutting only, and were in the hands of these
powerful tribesmen terrible weapons. These swords were not those
they had been accustomed to carry, which were made of copper only,
and often bent at the first blow, but were especially made for them
in Carthage of heavy steel, proof against all accident.

The march was conducted with all military precautions, although they
were still traversing a country which had been already subdued.
Nevertheless they moved as if expecting an instant attack. The
light horse scoured the country. The lithe and active soldiers
furnished by the desert tribes formed the advanced guard of the
army, and marched also on its flanks, while the heavy armed soldiery
marched in solid column ready for battle. Behind them came the
long train of baggage protected by a strong rear guard.

At last they reached a fertile country, and were now in the land
of the Vacaei and their allies. Arbocala, now called Tordesillas,
was captured without much difficulty. The siege was then laid
to Salamanca, the chief town of the enemy. In the actual siege
operations the Carthaginian horse took no part. The place resisted
vigourously, but the machines of Hannibal effected a breach in the
walls, and the inhabitants, seeing that further resistance was
impossible, offered to capitulate, stipulating that they should
be allowed to depart unharmed, leaving behind them all their arms
and their treasure.