Utica was enduring the presence of soldiers, for Magdassin had acted like Hanno, and in accordance with his orders and deaf to Hamilcar’s prayers, was surrounding the town.  As for these, they were given wine mixed with mandrake, and were then slaughtered in their sleep.  At the same time the Barbarians arrived; Magdassin fled; the gates were opened, and thenceforward the two Tyrian towns displayed an obstinate devotion to their new friends and an inconceivable hatred to their former allies.

This abandonment of the Punic cause was a counsel and a precedent.  Hopes of deliverance revived.  Populations hitherto uncertain hesitated no longer.  Everywhere there was a stir.  The Suffet learnt this, and he had no assistance to look for!  He was now irrevocably lost.

He immediately dismissed Narr’ Havas, who was to guard the borders of his kingdom.  As for himself, he resolved to re-enter Carthage in order to obtain soldiers and begin the war again.

The Barbarians posted at Hippo-Zarytus perceived his army as it descended the mountain.

Where could the Carthaginians be going?  Hunger, no doubt, was urging them on; and, distracted by their sufferings, they were coming in spite of their weakness to give battle.  But they turned to the right:  they were fleeing.  They might be overtaken and all be crushed.  The Barbarians dashed in pursuit of them.

The Carthaginians were checked by the river.  It was wide this time and the west wind had not been blowing.  Some crossed by swimming, and the rest on their shields.  They resumed their march.  Night fell.  They were out of sight.

The Barbarians did not stop; they went higher to find a narrower place.  The people of Tunis hastened thither, bringing those of Utica along with them.  Their numbers increased at every bush; and the Carthaginians, as they lay on the ground, could hear the tramping of their feet in the darkness.  From time to time Barca had a volley of arrows discharged behind him to check them, and several were killed.  When day broke they were in the Ariana Mountains, at the spot where the road makes a bend.

Then Matho, who was marching at the head, thought that he could distinguish something green on the horizon on the summit of an eminence.  Then the ground sank, and obelisks, domes, and houses appeared!  It was Carthage.  He leaned against a tree to keep himself from falling, so rapidly did his heart beat.

He thought of all that had come to pass in his existence since the last time that he had passed that way!  It was an infinite surprise, it stunned him.  Then he was transported with joy at the thought of seeing Salammbo again.  The reasons which he had for execrating her returned to his recollection, but he very quickly rejected them.  Quivering and with straining eyeballs he gazed at the lofty terrace of a palace above the palm trees beyond Eschmoun; a smile of ecstasy lighted his face as if some great light had reached him; he opened his arms, and sent kisses on the breeze, and murmured:  “Come! come!” A sigh swelled his breast, and two long tears like pearls fell upon his beard.