“What say you, Malchus?” Hannibal asked that evening.  “It is time now that I gave you a command.  As my near relative it is fitting that you should be in authority.  You have now served a campaign, and are eligible for any command that I may give you.  You have shown yourself prompt in danger and worthy to command men.  Which would you rather that I should place under you —­ a company of these giant Gauls, of the steady Iberians, of the well disciplined Libyans, or the active tribesmen of the desert?  Choose which you will, and they shall be yours.”

Malchus thought for some time.

“In the day of battle,” he said at last, “I would rather lead Gauls, but, in such a march as you have told me you are meditating, I would rather have a company of Numidian footmen to act as scouts and feel the way for the army.  There would not, perhaps, be so much glory to be obtained, but there would be constant work and excitement, and this will be far better than marching in the long column of the army.”

“I think your choice is a good one,” Hannibal replied.  “Such a corps will be needed to feel the way as we advance, to examine the roads and indicate that by which the column had best move, and to guard against ambushes and surprises.  Tomorrow I will inspect the Numidian footmen and will put them through their exercises.  We will have foot races and trials of skill with the bow, and I will bid their officers pick me out two hundred of the most active and vigourous among them; these you shall have under your command.  You can choose among your comrades of the guards one whom you would like to have as your lieutenant.”

“I will take Trebon,” Malchus said; “we fought side by side through the last campaign.  He is prompt and active, always cheerful under fatigue, and as brave as a lion.  I could not wish a better comrade.”

“So be it,” Hannibal replied, “henceforth you are captain of the advanced company of the army.  Remember, Malchus, that the responsibility is a great one, and that henceforward there must be no more boyish tricks.  Your company will be the eyes of the army, and upon your vigilance its safety, when we once start upon our expedition, will in no slight degree depend.  Remember, too, that you have by your conduct to justify me in choosing my young kinsman for so important a post.”

The next day the Numidians were put through their exercises, and by nightfall the two hundred picked men were chosen from their ranks and were placed by Hannibal under the command of Malchus.  Trebon was greatly pleased when he found himself appointed as lieutenant of the company.  Although of noble family his connections were much less influential than those of the majority of his comrades, and he had deemed himself exceptionally fortunate in having been permitted to enter the chosen corps of the Carthaginian cavalry, and had not expected to be made an officer for years to come, since promotion in the Carthaginian army was almost wholly a matter of family influence.