ent
impulsion to carry it to the bank.

At last, however, their feet touched the bottom, and they struggled to
shore, carrying with them the arms and armour; then, letting the canoe
drift away again, they crawled up the bank, and threw themselves down,
utterly exhausted. It was some time before either of them spoke. Then
Malchus said:

"We had best strip off our clothes and wring them as well as we can;
after that they will soon dry on us. We have no means of drying them
here, so we must lie down among some bushes to shelter us from this
bitter wind which blows from the mountains."

The clothes were wrung until the last drop was extracted from them and
then put on again. They were still damp and cold, but Malchus and his
companion had been accustomed to be drenched to the skin, and thought
nothing of this. They were still too exhausted, however, to walk
briskly, and therefore lay down among some thick bushes until they
should feel equal to setting out on the long tramp to rejoin their
companions. After lying for a couple of hours Malchus rose to his feet,
and issuing from the bushes looked round. He had resumed his armour
and sword. As he stepped out a sudden shout arose, and he saw within a
hundred yards of him a body of natives some hundred strong approaching.
They had already caught sight of him.

"Nessus," he exclaimed, without looking round, "lie still. I am seen,
and shall be taken in a minute. It is hopeless for me to try to escape.
You will do me more good by remaining hid and trying to free me from
their hands afterwards."

So saying, and without drawing his sword, Malchus quietly advanced
towards the natives, who were rushing down towards him with loud shouts.
Flight or resistance would be, as he had at once seen, hopeless, and it
was only by present submission he could hope to save his life.

The natives were a portion of the force which had opposed Hannibal's
landing, and had already killed several Carthaginians who had, like
Malchus, struggled to the bank after being upset in the passage. Seeing
that he attempted neither to fly nor to defend himself, they rushed upon
him tumultuously, stripped him of his arms and armour, and dragged him
before their leader. The latter briefly ordered him to be brought
along, and the party continued their hurried march, fearing that the
Carthaginian horse might at any moment pursue them. For the rest of the
afternoon they marched without a halt, but at nightfall stopp