bal battle, and, not being able to
induce him to do so, he was continually expressing his discontent and
displeasure. The army sympathized with Minucius. He wrote home to Rome
too, complaining bitterly of the dictator's inefficiency. Hannibal
learned all this by means of his spies, and other sources of
information, which so good a contriver as he has always at command.
Hannibal was, of course, very much pleased to hear of these
dissensions, and of the unpopularity of Fabius. He considered such an
enemy as he--so prudent, cautious, and watchful--as a far more
dangerous foe than such bold and impetuous commanders as Flaminius and
Minucius, whom he could always entice into difficulty, and then easily
conquer.

Hannibal thought he would render Minucius a little help in making
Fabius unpopular. He found out from some Roman deserters that the
dictator possessed a valuable farm in the country, and he sent a
detachment of his troops there, with orders to plunder and destroy
the property all around it, but to leave the farm of Fabius untouched
and in safety. The object was to give to the enemies of Fabius at Rome
occasion to say that there was secretly a good understanding between
him and Hannibal, and that he was kept back from acting boldly in
defense of his country by some corrupt bargain which he had
traitorously made with the enemy.

These plans succeeded. Discontent and dissatisfaction spread rapidly,
both in the camp and in the city. At Rome they made an urgent demand
upon Fabius to return, ostensibly because they wished him to take part
in some great religious ceremonies, but really to remove him from the
camp, and give Minucius an opportunity to attack Hannibal. They also
wished to devise some method, if possible, of depriving him of his
power. He had been appointed for six months, and the time had not yet
nearly expired: but they wished to shorten, or, if they could not
shorten, to limit and diminish his power.

Fabius went to Rome, leaving the army under the orders of Minucius,
but commanding him positively not to give Hannibal battle, nor expose
his troops to any danger, but to pursue steadily the same policy
which he himself had followed. He had, however, been in Rome only a
short time before tidings came that Minucius had fought a battle and
gained a victory. There were boastful and ostentatious letters from
Minucius to the Roman senate, lauding the exploit which he had
performed.

Fabius examined carefully t