ll into
the river. But the act had proved that Malchus was grateful for the
kindness which had been shown him, and had cemented the friendship
between them. Therefore, when the campaign came to a close, he had
offered a hearty invitation to Malchus to spend the time, until the
army should again assemble, with him in his village on the banks of the
Orcus. Hannibal had smiled when Malchus had asked for leave of absence.

"Those daughters of the chief whom you presented to me on the day when
we crossed the Po are the fairest I have seen in Gaul. Malchus, are you
thinking of keeping up the traditions of our family? My father wedded
all my sisters, as you know, to native princes in Africa, and I took an
Iberian maiden as my wife. It would be in every way politic and to be
desired that one so nearly related to me as yourself should form an
alliance by marriage with one of these Gaulish chiefs."

Malchus laughed somewhat confusedly.

"It will be time to talk about marriage some years hence, Hannibal; I am
scarce twenty yet, and she is but a girl."

"Oh! there is a she in the case," Hannibal laughed; "and my arrow drawn
at a venture has struck home. Ah! yes, there were three of them, two
tall and stately maidens and one still a slim and unformed girl. Indeed,
I remember now having heard that you lost your armour and helmet in
jumping off the bridge across the Po to fish out one of the daughters
of Allobrigius, who turned out to be able to swim much better than you
could. I had a hearty laugh over it with your poor father, but with the
Romans at Piacenza and a great battle before us the matter passed from
my mind. So that is how the wind lies. Well, as you say, you are both
young, and there is no saying what the next two or three years may bring
forth. However, bear in mind that such an alliance would please me much,
and remember also that the Gaulish maidens marry young, and in times
like ours, Malchus, it is never well to delay long."

Malchus took with him Nessus, who had, from the day when they escaped
together from Scipio's camp, been always near his person, had carried
his helmet on the line of march, slept next to him by the campfire, and
fought by his side in battle, ready at any moment to give his life to
avert harm from his leader.

The return of Allobrigius and his tribesmen was celebrated by great
rejoicings on the Orcus. The women and old men and boys met them some
miles from the village, raising loud cries of