“So, here you are again, Malchus,” Adherbal said.  “I thought you would soon be back.  I am glad you have come, for Giscon here grows monotonous as a companion.  Nature in making him forgot to give him that spice of humour which is to existence what seasoning is to meat.  I am ready to fight if it comes to fighting, to orate if talking is necessary, and to do anything else which may be within the limits of my powers, but I can’t for the life of me take matters as if the existence of the state depended on me alone.  I have already heard that all is well with you at home.  I shall ride out there and see your mother when this business is over.  What they can find to talk about so long I can’t make out.

“The question is a simple one, surely.  Will it be better for Carthage at large, and our party in particular, for Hannibal to stay at the head of the army in Spain, or to come home and bring the influence of his popularity and reputation to bear upon the populace?  There is the question put in a nutshell, and if they can’t decide upon it let them toss up.  There is virtue, I am ready to maintain, in an appeal to dame Fortune.

“Look round now, Malchus, is it not amusing to study men’s characters.  Look at little Philene going about among the groups, standing on tiptoe to whisper into the ear first of one and then of another.  He prides himself on his knowledge of affairs, and in his heart believes that he is shamefully wronged inasmuch as he is not already on the secret committee.

“Look at Bomilca leaning against that pillar and lazily pulling his mustache, an easygoing giant, who looks upon the whole thing as a nuisance, but who, if he received orders from the conclave, would put himself at the head of the Libyans, and would march to storm Hanno’s house, and to slaughter his Nubian guard without a question.

“Look at Magon’s face of importance as he walks about without speaking to anyone.  He is trying to convey to all the impression that he knows perfectly well what is going on inside, and could if he chose tell you what the decision will be.  There is Carthalon, who is thinking at present, I warrant, more of the match which he has made of his Arab steed against that of his comrade Phano, than of the matter in hand.  But see, there is a stir, the curtains are drawing aside at last, the meeting is over.”

As he spoke the heavy curtains which shut off an inner room from the hall were drawn aside, and the council of the Syssite came out.  Each was speedily surrounded by a group of the members of his own family, or those who specially looked up to him as a leader.  Malchus and the two young officers were among those who gathered round Hamilcar.

“It has been decided,” the general said, “that Hannibal shall be retained in his command.  Therefore, now let all set to work, each in his own sphere.  The populace must be stirred up.  We have a small majority in the council, but the middle class, the men who will vote, are with Hanno.  Some have been bought with his gold, some of the weak fools dream that Carthage can be great simply as a trading power without army or navy, and think only of the present advantage they would gain by remission of taxation.  It is these we have to fear, and we must operate upon them by means of the populace.