arrow valleys into the
heart of the Alps. The snow had already fallen thickly upon the upper
part of the mountains, and the Carthaginians shuddered at the sight
of these lofty summits, these wild, craggy, and forbidding wastes.
The appearance of the wretched huts of the inhabitants, of the people
themselves, unshaved and unkempt and clad in sheepskins, and of the
flocks and herds gathering in sheltered spots and crowding together to
resist the effects of the already extreme cold, struck the Carthaginian
troops with dismay. Large bodies of the mountaineers were perceived
posted on the heights surrounding the valleys, and the column,
embarrassed by its length and the vast quantity of baggage, was also
exposed to attack by hordes who might at any moment rush out from the
lateral ravines. Hannibal, therefore, ordered his column to halt.

Malchus was now ordered to go forward with his band of scouts, and to
take with him a party of Gauls, who, their language being similar
to that of the natives, could enter into conversation with them. The
mountaineers, seeing but a small party advancing, allowed them to
approach peaceably and entered freely into conversation with them. They
declared that they would on no account permit the Carthaginian army to
pass forward, but would oppose every foot of their advance.

The Gauls learned, however, that, believing the great column could only
move forward in the daytime, the natives were in the habit of retiring
from their rocky citadels at nightfall. Malchus returned with this news
to Hannibal, who prepared to take advantage of it. The camp was at once
pitched, and the men set to work to form an intrenchment round it as if
Hannibal meditated a prolonged halt there. Great fires were lit and the
animals unloaded. The natives, seeing from above everything that was
being done, deserted their posts as usual at nightfall, confident that
the Carthaginians had no intention of moving forward.

Malchus with his scouts crept on along the path, and soon sent down
word to Hannibal that the heights were deserted. The general himself now
moved forward with all his light troops, occupied the head of the pass,
and posted strong parties of men upon the heights commanding it. As soon
as day broke the rest of the army got into motion and proceeded up the
pass. The natives were now seen approaching in great numbers, but they
halted in dismay on seeing that the Carthaginians had already gained
possession of the