ith the population of the town, there was in Carthagena a
large admixture of native Iberians, who, belonging to the tribes first
subdued by Carthage, had either been forced to settle here to supply
manual labour needed for the rising city, or who had voluntarily
abandoned their wandering life and adopted the more settled habitudes
and more assured comforts of existence in a great town.

Skirting the lower part of the city, Hamilcar's force marched along the
isthmus and crossed the bridge over the canal cut through it, and
was soon in the country beyond. The ground rose gradually, and after
marching for six miles the brigade was halted at a spot to which
Hannibal had, when the fleet was first discerned approaching along the
coast, despatched some bullocks and other provisions for their use. The
march was a short one, but after a week's confinement on board ship
the men were little fitted for a long journey. The bullocks and other
rations were served out to the various companies, and the work of
preparing the repast began. Malchus was amused, although rather
disgusted at his first experience in a real campaign. When with Hamilcar
on the expedition against the Atarantes he had formed part of his
father's suite and had lived in luxury. He was now a simple soldier, and
was called upon to assist to cut up the bullock which had fallen to the
share of the Carthaginian cavalry.

Some of the party went out to cut and bring in wood for the fires and
cooking; others moistened the flour and made dough for the flat cakes
which would be baked in the hot embers and eaten with the meat.
Loud shouts of laughter rose as the young soldiers worked at their
unaccustomed tasks, superintended by the officers, who, having all made
several campaigns, were able to instruct them as to their duties. From
a culinary point of view the meal could not be pronounced a success,
and was, indeed, a contrast to the food to which the young nobles were
accustomed. The march, however, and the keen bracing air had given them
good appetites, and the novelty and strangeness of the experience gave
a zest to the food; and in spite of the roughness of the meal, all
declared that they had never dined better. Many fires were now lit; and
round these, as the evening closed in, the men gathered in groups, all
closely wrapped in their bernouses, which were worn alike by officers
and men of the whole of the nationalities serving in the Carthaginian
army, serving as a clo