“Welcome back again!” they exclaimed; “your presence is most opportune at this sad moment.”

“What has happened?” Hamilcar asked; “I have but this moment arrived, and rode straight here to hear the news of what has taken place in my absence.”

“What! have you not heard?” they exclaimed; “for the last four days nothing else has been talked of, nothing else thought of —­ Hasdrubal has been assassinated!”

Hamilcar recoiled a step as if struck.

“Ye gods!” he exclaimed, “can this be so?  Hasdrubal the handsome, as he was well called, the true patriot, the great general, the eloquent orator, the soul of generosity and patriotism, our leader and hope, dead!  Surely it cannot be.”

“It is too true, Hamilcar.  Hasdrubal is dead —­ slain by the knife of an Iberian, who, it seems, has for months been in his service, awaiting the chance for revenge for some injuries which his family or people have suffered from our arms.

“It is a terrible blow.  This morning a swift sailing ship has arrived with the news that the army of Spain have with one voice acclaimed the young Hannibal as their general, and that they demand the ratification of their choice by the senate and people.  Need I tell you how important it is that this ratification should be gained?  Hanno and his satellites are furious, they are scattering money broadcast, and moving heaven and earth to prevent the choice falling upon Hannibal, and to secure the appointment for Hanno himself or one of his clique.  They say that to appoint a youth like this to such a position would be a thing unheard of, that it would bring countless dangers upon the head of the republic.  We know, of course, that what they fear is not the youth and inexperience, but the talent and genius of Hannibal.

“Young though he is, his wonderful abilities are recognized by us all.  His father, Hamilcar, had the very highest hopes of him, Hasdrubal has written again and again saying that in his young kinsman he recognized his superior, and that in loftiness of aim, in unselfish patriotism, in clearness of judgment, in the marvellous ascendency he has gained over the troops, in his talent in administration, and in the greatness of his military conceptions, he saw in him a genius of the highest order.  If it be in man to overthrow the rising greatness of Rome, to reform our disordered administration, to raise Carthage again to the climax of her glory and power, that man is Hannibal.

“Thus, then, on him our hopes rest.  If we can secure for him the command of the army in Spain, he may do all and more than all that Hamilcar and Hasdrubal have done for us.  If we fail, we are lost; Hanno will be supreme, the official party will triumph, man by man we shall be denounced and, destroyed by the judges, and, worse than all, our hopes of saving Carthage from the corruption and tyranny which have so long been pressing her into the dust are at an end.  It is a good omen of success that you have returned from your expedition at such a critical moment.  All has gone well with you, I hope.  You know the fate that awaits an unsuccessful general here.”