But the pontiff of Eschmoun
rose, and, standing perfectly upright, with his knees close together,
his elbows pressed to his body, and his hands half open, he said:
"Barca, Carthage has need that you should take the general command of
the Punic forces against the Mercenaries!"
"I refuse," replied Hamilcar.
"We will give you full authority," cried the chiefs of the Syssitia.
"No!"
"With no control, no partition, all the money that you want, all
the captives, all the booty, fifty zereths of land for every enemy's
corpse."
"No! no! because it is impossible to conquer with you!"
"He is afraid!"
"Because you are cowardly, greedy, ungrateful, pusillanimous and mad!"
"He is careful of them!"
"In order to put himself at their head," said some one.
"And return against us," said another; and from the bottom of the hall
Hanno howled:
"He wants to make himself king!"
Then they bounded up, overturning the seats and the torches: the crowd
of them rushed towards the altar; they brandished daggers. But Hamilcar
dived into his sleeves and drew from them two broad cutlasses; and
half stooping, his left foot advanced, his eyes flaming and his
teeth clenched, he defied them as he stood there beneath the golden
candelabrum.
Thus they had brought weapons with them as a precaution; it was a crime;
they looked with terror at one another.
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