while the wild yells which came up on the breeze told
Malchus that Hannibal's cavalry were a party of the Numidians.

The Romans were somewhat the most numerous; but, had the cavalry opposed
to them consisted of the Carthaginian horse, Malchus would have had
little doubt as to the result; he felt, however, by no means certain
that the light armed Numidians were a match for the Roman cavalry. The
party had stopped but a quarter of a mile from the spot where the rival
bands met, and the crash of bodies driven violently against each other
and the clash of steel on armour could be plainly heard.

For a few minutes it was a wild confused melee, neither party appearing
to have any advantage. Riderless steeds galloped off from the throng,
but neither party seemed to give way afoot. The whole mass seemed
interlaced in conflict. It was a moving struggling throng of bodies with
arms waving high and swords rising and falling. The Romans fought in
silence, but the wild yells of the Numidians rose shrill and continuous.

At last there was a movement, and Malchus gave a groan while the natives
around him shouted in triumph as the Numidians were seen to detach
themselves from the throng and to gallop off at full speed, hotly
followed by the Romans, both, however, in greatly diminished numbers,
for the ground on which the conflict had taken place was thickly strewn
with bodies; nearly half of those who had engaged in that short but
desperate strife were lying there.

No sooner had the pursuers and pursued disappeared in the distance than
the natives thronged down to the spot. Such of the Numidians as were
found to be alive were instantly slaughtered, and all were despoiled of
their clothes, arms, and ornaments. The Romans were left untouched, and
those among them who were found to be only wounded were assisted by
the natives, who unbuckled their armour, helped them into a sitting
position, bound up their wounds, and gave them water.

Highly satisfied with the booty they obtained, and having no longer any
fear of pursuit, the natives halted to await the return of the Romans.
Malchus learned from their conversation that they had some little doubt
whether the Romans would approve of their appropriating the spoils of
the dead Numidians, and it was finally decided to hand over Malchus,
whose rich armour proclaimed him to be a prisoner of importance, to the
Roman commander.

The main body of the natives, with all the spoil which had be