They moved away before him. Several times he ran against the
Carthaginians. But they always drew back and turned their weapons aside.
His foot struck against a sword. Matho tried to seize it. He felt
himself tied by the wrists and knees, and fell.
Narr' Havas had been following him for some time, step by step, with one
of the large nets used for capturing wild beasts, and, taking advantage
of the moment when he stooped down, had involved him in it.
Then he was fastened on the elephants with his four limbs forming a
cross; and all those who were not wounded escorted him, and rushed with
great tumult towards Carthage.
The news of the victory had arrived in some inexplicable way at the
third hour of the night; the clepsydra of Khamon had just completed the
fifth as they reached Malqua; then Matho opened his eyes. There were so
many lights in the houses that the town appeared to be all in flames.
An immense clamour reached him dimly; and lying on his back he looked at
the stars.
Then a door closed and he was wrapped in darkness.
On the morrow, at the same hour, the last of the men left in the Pass of
the Hatchet expired.
On the day that their companions had set out, some Zuaeces who were
returning had tumbled the rocks down, and had fed them for some time.
Pages:
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444