and a Celtiberian. The torpid slowness of
their words, which in their anger acquired flute-like tones, their
inflamed and blood-shot eyes, and their hawk-like noses, seeming to grow
sharper as they talked, revealed that terrible drunkenness, stubborn and
quarrelsome, which culminates in murder.

The Roman was telling of his presence in the combat on the AEgates
islands, fourteen years before.

"I know you," he said insolently to the Carthaginian. "You are a
republic of merchants born for lying and bad faith. If someone who knows
how to sell at top prices and cheat the buyer is wanted, I agree that
you stand first; but talking of soldiers, of men, we are the best, we
sons of Rome, who grasp the plow in one hand and the lance in the
other."

He proudly raised his round head with its close-cropped hair and shaven
cheeks, on which the chin-straps of his helmet had worn hard calloused
lines.

Actaeon looked through the window at the Celtiberian, the only one of the
group who remained silent, but who had his glittering eyes fastened upon
the bare neck showing above the Roman legionary's bronze corselet, as if
attracted by the coarse veins outlined beneath the skin. Surely the
Greek had seen those eyes before; they were like an old acquaintance
whose name one cannot recall. There was something artificial about his
person, which the Greek divined with his keen perception.

"I would swear by Mercury that that man is not what he pretends to be.
He looks something more than a shepherd, and the bronze color of his
face is not that of the Celtiberians, no matter how sunburned they may
be. Perhaps that long hair which falls around his shoulders is
false----"

He was unable to observe him longer because of the dispute between the
legionary and the old Carthaginian, who gradually approached each other
to hear better in the midst of the clamor which reigned in the tavern.

"I also was on that sad expedition to the AEgates," said the
Carthaginian; "there is where I received this wound that crosses my
face. It is true that you conquered us; but what does that show? Many
times did I see your ships flee before ours, and more than once I
counted Roman corpses by the hundred on the fields of Sicily. Ah, if
Hanno had not arrived too late that day of the combat at the islands! If
Hamilcar had only had reinforcements!"

"Hamilcar!" disdainfully exclaimed the Roman. "A great chief who had to
sue for peace! A merchant turned warrior!"