mat ras saunions, pikes with curved heads, resembling the halberds of later times; and straight swords.  Hannibal, however, finding the inconvenience of this diversity of weapons, had armed his Gaulish troops only with their long straight swords.  These were without point, and made for cutting only, and were in the hands of these powerful tribesmen terrible weapons.  These swords were not those they had been accustomed to carry, which were made of copper only, and often bent at the first blow, but were especially made for them in Carthage of heavy steel, proof against all accident.

The march was conducted with all military precautions, although they were still traversing a country which had been already subdued.  Nevertheless they moved as if expecting an instant attack.  The light horse scoured the country.  The lithe and active soldiers furnished by the desert tribes formed the advanced guard of the army, and marched also on its flanks, while the heavy armed soldiery marched in solid column ready for battle.  Behind them came the long train of baggage protected by a strong rear guard.

At last they reached a fertile country, and were now in the land of the Vacaei and their allies.  Arbocala, now called Tordesillas, was captured without much difficulty.  The siege was then laid to Salamanca, the chief town of the enemy.  In the actual siege operations the Carthaginian horse took no part.  The place resisted vigourously, but the machines of Hannibal effected a breach in the walls, and the inhabitants, seeing that further resistance was impossible, offered to capitulate, stipulating that they should be allowed to depart unharmed, leaving behind them all their arms and their treasure.

The Carthaginian army were drawn up in readiness to march into the town as the Vacaei came out.  As they filed past the Carthaginians they were inspected to see that they had carried out the terms of the agreement.  It was found that they had done so rigidly —­ not an arm of any kind was found upon them.  Their necklaces, bracelets, and ornaments had all been left behind.

“What a savage looking race!” Malchus remarked to Trebon; “they look at us as if they would gladly spring on us, unarmed as they are, and tear us with their hands.  They are well nigh as dark skinned as the Numidians.”

“Here come their women!” Trebon said; “verily I would as soon fight the men as these creatures.  Look how they glare at us!  You see they have all had to give up their ornaments, so they have each their private grievance as well as their national one.”