This time, however, the Republic itself was at stake.  But as every profit must be purchased by some loss, and as every transaction was regulated according to the needs of the weaker and the demands of the stronger, there was no pain great enough for the god, since he delighted in such as was of the most horrible description, and all were now at his mercy.  He must accordingly be fully gratified.  Precedents showed that in this way the scourge would be made to disappear.  Moreover, it was believed that an immolation by fire would purify Carthage.  The ferocity of the people was predisposed towards it.  The choice, too, must fall exclusively upon the families of the great.

The Ancients assembled.  The sitting was a long one.  Hanno had come to it.  As he was now unable to sit he remained lying down near the door, half hidden among the fringes of the lofty tapestry; and when the pontiff of Moloch asked them whether they would consent to surrender their children, his voice suddenly broke forth from the shadow like the roaring of a genius in the depths of a cavern.  He regretted, he said, that he had none of his own blood to give; and he gazed at Hamilcar, who faced him at the other end of the hall.  The Suffet was so much disconcerted by this look that it made him lower his eyes.  All successively bent their heads in approval; and in accordance with the rites he had to reply to the high priest:  “Yes; be it so.”  Then the Ancients decreed the sacrifice in traditional circumlocution,—­because there are things more troublesome to say than to perform.

The decision was almost immediately known in Carthage, and lamentations resounded.  The cries of women might everywhere be heard; their husbands consoled them, or railed at them with remonstrances.

But three hours afterwards extraordinary tidings were spread abroad:  the Suffet had discovered springs at the foot of the cliff.  There was a rush to the place.  Water might be seen in holes dug in the sand, and some were already lying flat on the ground and drinking.

Hamilcar did not himself know whether it was by the determination of the gods or through the vague recollection of a revelation which his father had once made to him; but on leaving the Ancients he had gone down to the shore and had begun to dig the gravel with his slaves.

He gave clothing, boots, and wine.  He gave all the rest of the corn that he was keeping by him.  He even let the crowd enter his palace, and he opened kitchens, stores, and all the rooms,—­Salammbo’s alone excepted.  He announced that six thousand Gaulish Mercenaries were coming, and that the king of Macedonia was sending soldiers.

But on the second day the springs diminished, and on the evening of the third they were completely dried up.  Then the decree of the Ancients passed everywhere from lip to lip, and the priests of Moloch began their task.

Men in black robes presented themselves in the houses.  In many instances the owners had deserted them under pretence of some business, or of some dainty that they were going to buy; and the servants of Moloch came and took the children away.  Others themselves surrendered them stupidly.  Then they were brought to the temple of Tanith, where the priestesses were charged with their amusement and support until the solemn day.