ested, go down to the port; ask the
sailors and fishermen what will become of their trade were the Roman
galleys cruising in our bay. Point out that our conquests in Spain have
already caused the greatest alarm in Rome, and that under Hannibal our
arms will so flourish that Rome will be glad to come to terms with us,
and to leave us free to trade with the world.

"Point out how great is the trade and commerce which Carthagena has
already produced. Ask them if they are willing that all this shall be
hazarded, in order that Hanno may gratify his personal ambition, and
his creatures may wring the last penny from the over taxed people of
Carthage. Don't try too much, my boy. Get together a knot of men whom
you know; prime them with argument, and send them among their fellows.
Tell them to work day and night, and that you will see that their time
is well paid. Find out if there are any men who have special influence
with their fellows, and secure them on our side. Promise them what they
will; the Syssite will spend money like water to carry its object. Be
discreet, Malchus; when you have lit the fire, and see that it is well
on its way, withdraw quietly."

Malchus hurried off, and in half an hour was down by the port. Through
the densely packed district which lay behind the lofty warehouses
crammed with goods brought by sea from all parts of the world, he made
his way until he reached the abode of a fisherman, in whose boat he
often put to sea.

The old man, with three or four grownup sons, was reclining on a pile of
rushes.

"Welcome back, my lord Malchus," he said; "glad am I to see you safely
returned. We have often talked of you, me and my sons, and wondered when
you would again go out for a night's fishing with us. You have come back
at the right time. The tunny are just entering the bay, and in another
week we shall have rare sport."

"I shall be glad, indeed, of another sail with you," Malchus said; "but
at present I have other matters in hand. Hanno and his friends have
determined to oppose the appointment of Hannibal to the army in Spain."
The fisherman gave a grunt, which signified that the matter was one of
which he knew nothing, and which affected him not in the slightest.

"Don't you see the importance of this?" Malchus said. "If Hannibal
doesn't get the command our troops will be beaten, and we shall lose all
our trade with Spain." The fisherman still appeared apathetic.

"My sons have all taken to fish