The king of the Numidians held himself apart in a discreet attitude;
on his forehead he bore a little of the dust which he had touched when
prostrating himself. At last the Suffet advanced towards him with a look
full of gravity.
"As a reward for the services which you have rendered me, Narr' Havas, I
give you my daughter. Be my son," he added, "and defend your father!"
Narr' Havas gave a great gesture of surprise; then he threw himself upon
Hamilcar's hands and covered them with kisses.
Salammbo, calm as a statue, did not seem to understand. She blushed a
little as she cast down her eyelids, and her long curved lashes made
shadows upon her cheeks.
Hamilcar wished to unite them immediately in indissoluble betrothal. A
lance was placed in Salammbo's hands and by her offered to Narr' Havas;
their thumbs were tied together with a thong of ox-leather; then corn
was poured upon their heads, and the grains that fell around them rang
like rebounding hail.
CHAPTER XII
THE AQUEDUCT
Twelve hours afterwards all that remained of the Mercenaries was a heap
of wounded, dead, and dying.
Hamilcar had suddenly emerged from the bottom of the gorge, and again
descended the western slope that looked towards Hippo-Zarytus, and
the space being broader at this spot he had taken care to draw the
Barbarians into it.
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