ccurred, as if it were the
fleeting agony of a dream.

The Amazon, with couched lance, rode at a gallop against the priest of
Hercules, who in the recoil of that disordered hand to hand struggle had
been left alone in a broad open space.

"Ohooo!----" shouted the Amazon, exciting her horse by her war cry.

Pressing her legs against the animal's ribs she lifted herself upon his
back in order to give the giant a deeper wound.

The horse, terrified at the frightful lion's head on the forehead of the
colossus, reared and whinnied, while at the same moment the enormous
mace struck above his eyes with a crash like the breaking of a heavy
amphora.

The horse reeled backwards with a shattered skull, blood spurting from
his eyes. The Amazon, thrown from his back, fell on her knees a few
steps away, covering herself with her shield. If she could hold out a
moment she would be saved. Hannibal, forgotten by his disorganized men
who were milling like a frightened herd in the confusion of battle, ran
to her aid. Bodies of cavalry rushed from the camp to assist the
audacious Amazons, and the mass of the besieged retreated in disorder
toward the city.

Asbyte arose and advanced a step, raising her lance to thrust the giant;
but at the same moment the enormous cudgel, brandished with both hands,
crushed upon her like a toppling wall. Her crumpling bronze shield rung
plaintively, her golden helmet parted on the seams, and Asbyte doubled
up on the ground, her tunic stained with blood, like a wounded white
bird folded in its fluttering wings.

Theron, despite his ferocity, stood appalled, resting on his club,
oblivious to what was taking place about him, as if repentant for the
frightful destruction which his power had wrought upon that beautiful
woman.

"Answer _me_ for that, Theron! Defend yourself, butcher of Hercules!
Kill me if you can; I am Hannibal!"

The priest turned and beheld a warrior, his face covered by his shield,
his sword held in tierce, advancing with amazing agility, circling
around him like a tiger attacking an elephant and seeking by his greater
mobility to spring upon him at a defenceless point. The battle had
ceased; the Saguntines fell back toward the city. The besieging cavalry
charged close up to the walls, leaving the two combatants alone on the
field. A few soldiers sluggishly approached, and stood still some
distance away, intimidated by the superstitious terror which the giant
inspired.

Theron d