came near him, and then rowing round them.  The Carthaginian senate were now able to have frequent communication with the garrison by means of this Rhodian:  his success, and the recompence which rewarded it, induced several Carthaginians to make the same attempt.  They were all successful except one, who, not knowing the force and direction of the currents, was carried by them ashore, and fell into the power of the Romans.  The Rhodian still continued to pass between the besieged and Carthage; but his good fortune was near an end.  The Romans had fitted out the Carthaginian galley which they had captured, and “waited with impatience for a fresh insult from the Rhodian:  it was not long before he entered the port in the night time, according to custom, and was preparing to sail out in broad day, not knowing that the Romans were now masters of a galley which was as good a sailer as his own.  He weighed anchor with great confidence, and sailed out of the port in sight of the enemy’s fleet, but was greatly surprized to see the Romans pursue him close, and at length come up with him, notwithstanding the lightness of his vessel.  He had now no way left but to engage them, which he did with an undaunted bravery; but the Romans, who were all chosen men, soon put an end to the dispute.  The Rhodian vessel was boarded and taken with all her crew.  The Romans being now in possession of two light galleys, shut up the port so effectually, that no Carthaginian ever after attempted to enter it.”

The following year the Romans were obliged to convert the siege into a blockade, in consequence of the Carthaginians having succeeded in destroying all their works.  One of the consuls was P. Claudius Pulcher, an obstinate and ambitious man, who, contrary to the advice of those who were better skilled in maritime affairs, and better acquainted with the Carthaginians than he was, determined to surprize Drepanon, where the Carthaginian admiral was posted.  Claudius had under his command a fine and formidable fleet of 120 galleys; with these he sailed from before Lilibaeum in the night time, having taken on board a great number of the best troops employed in the blockade of that place.  At break of day, Asdrubal, the Carthaginian admiral, was surprized to perceive the hostile fleet approaching Drepanon:  he formed his plan immediately, preferring an immediate engagement to the certainty of being shut up in the harbour.  Accordingly, with ninety ships, he sailed out, and drew them up behind some rocks which lay near the harbour.  As the Romans had not perceived him come out, they continued to sail on without forming themselves into line of battle, when as they were about to enter the harbour, the Carthaginians attacked them, with such celerity and vigour, that, being taken quite unprepared, they were thrown into confusion.  Claudius might still have saved his fleet by immediate flight, but this he absolutely refused to do, notwithstanding the strong and urgent remonstrances of his officers.