secret ambush of the city. But as the fears of Belisarius
were the result of calm and intrepid reason, he was soon
satisfied that he might confide without danger in the
peaceful and friendly aspect of the capital. Carthage blazed
with innumerable torches, the signal of the public joy; the
chain was removed that guarded the entrance of the port, the
gates were thrown open, and the people with acclamations of
gratitude hailed and invited their Roman deliverers. The
defeat of the Vandals and the freedom of Africa were
announced to the city on the eve of St. Cyprian, when the
churches were already adorned and illuminated for the
festival of the martyr whom three centuries of superstition
had almost raised to a local deity.... One awful hour
reversed the fortunes of the contending parties. The
suppliant Vandals, who had so lately indulged the vices of
conquerors, sought an humble refuge in the sanctuary of the
church; while the merchants of the east were delivered from
the deepest dungeon of the palace by their affrighted
keeper, who implored the protection of his captives, and
showed them through an aperture in the wall the sails of the
Roman fleet. After their separation from the army, the naval
commanders had proceeded with slow caution along the coast,
till they reached the Hermaean promontory, and obtained the
first intelligence of the victory of Belisarius. Faithful to
his instructions, they would have cast anchor about twenty
miles from Carthage, if the more skilful had not represented
the perils of the shore and the signs of an impending
tempest. Still ignorant of the revolution, they declined
however the rash attempt of forcing the chain of the port,
and the adjacent harbour and suburb of Mandracium were
insulted only by the rapine of a private officer, who
disobeyed and deserted his leaders. But the imperial fleet,
advancing with a fair wind, steered through the narrow
entrance of the Goletta and occupied the deep and capacious
lake of Tunis, a secure station about five miles from the
capital. No sooner was Belisarius informed of the arrival
than he despatched orders that the greatest part of the
mariners should be immediately landed to join the triumph
and to swell the apparent numbers of the Romans. Before he
allowe