lighted at being at last, after all their toils
and sufferings, within striking distance of their foes, gave a mighty
shout, and setting spurs to their splendid horses flung themselves at
the enemy.

The charge of this solid mass of picked cavalry was irresistible. They
swept before them the skirmishers and Gaulish horse, and fell with fury
upon the main body, cleaving a way far into its ranks. Before the Romans
could recover from their confusion the Numidian horse burst down upon
their flanks. The charge was irresistible; large numbers of the
Romans were killed and the rest fled in panic, hotly pursued by the
Carthaginians, until they reached the shelter of the Roman infantry,
which was advancing behind them. Scipio, who had been wounded in the
fight, at once led his army back to Piacenza.

The news of this battle reached Malchus just as he was preparing to
depart. The messenger who brought it brought also a lead horse, which
Hamilcar had sent for his son's use. Resuming his armour Malchus mounted
and rode off at once, after many warm thanks to his friends, whom he
expected to see again shortly, as they, with the rest of that section
of the tribe, were about to join the chief--the Gaulish women frequently
accompanying their husbands in their campaigns.

Malchus was delighted to rejoin the army, from which he had now been
separated more than two months. He saw with pleasure that they had now
completely recovered from the effects of their hardships, and presented
as proud and martial an appearance as when they had started from
Carthagena.

The issue of their first fight with the Romans had raised their spirits
and confidence, and all were eager to enter upon the campaign which
awaited them. Malchus, upon his arrival, was appointed to the command of
the company of Gauls who formed the bodyguard of the general. Hannibal
moved up the Po and prepared to cross that river at Gambio, two days'
easy march above its junction with the Ticino. The army was accompanied
by a considerable number of the Insubres. The work of constructing a
bridge was at once commenced.

Malchus, riding through the camp, came upon the tents of his late host,
who had been joined that day by his family. To them Malchus did the
honours of the camp, took them through the lines of the Carthaginian
cavalry, showed them the elephants, and finally conducted them to
Hannibal, who received them most kindly, and presented them with many
presents in token of