The Young Carthaginian: A Story of The Times of Hannibal, Page 3

  CHAPTER III: CARTHAGE

  Carthage was at that time divided between two factions, the one led bythe relatives and friends of the great Hamilcar Barca and known as theBarcine party. The other was led by Hanno, surnamed the Rich. This manhad been the rival of Hamilcar, and the victories and successes of thelatter had been neutralized by the losses and defeats entailed uponthe republic by the incapacity of the former. Hanno, however, had thesupport of the greater part of the senate, of the judges, and of thelower class, which he attached to himself by a lavish distribution ofhis vast wealth, or by the common tie of wholesale corruption.

  The Barcine party were very inferior in numbers, but they comprisedamong them the energy, the military genius, and the patriotism of thecommunity. They advocated sweeping reforms, the purification of thepublic service, the suppression of the corruption which was rampant inevery department, the fair administration of justice, the suppression ofthe tyranny of the committee, the vigourous prosecution of the strugglewith Rome. They would have attached to Carthage the but half subduednations round her who now groaned under her yoke, ground down to thedust by the enormous tribute necessitated by the extravagance of theadministration of the state, the corruption and wholesale peculation ofits officials.

  Hamilcar Barca had been the founder of the party; in his absence at theseat of war it had been led at Carthage by his son-in-law Hasdrubal,whose fiery energy and stirring eloquence had rendered him a popularidol in Carthage. But even the genius of Hamilcar and the eloquence ofHasdrubal would not have sufficed to enable the Barcine party to makehead against the enormous power of the council and the judges, backed bythe wealth of Hanno and his associates, had it not been for the militarysuccesses which flattered the patriotic feelings of the populace.

  The loss of Sardinia, Corsica, and Sicily had been atoned for by theconquest of the greater portion of Spain by Hamilcar, and that generalmight eventually have carried out his plans for the purification of thegovernment of Carthage had he not fallen in a battle with the Iberians.This loss was a terrible blow to the Barcine faction, but the deepfeeling of regret among the population at the death of their greatgeneral enabled them to carry the election of Hasdrubal to be one of thesuffetes in his place, and to obtain for him the command of the army inSpain.

  There was the less difficulty in the latter appointment, since Hanno'sparty were well content that the popular leader should be far removedfrom the capital. Hasdrubal proved himself a worthy successor of hisfather-in-law. He carried out the policy inaugurated by the latter,won many brilliant victories over the Iberians, fortified and firmlyestablished Carthagena as a port and city which seemed destined to rivalthe greatness of its mother city, and Carthage saw with delight a greatwestern settlement growing in power which promised to counterbalance theinfluence of the ever spreading territory of her great rival in Italy.

  After seeing his detachment safely lodged in the barracks Hamilcar andhis companions rode along the streets to the Barcine Syssite, or club,one of the grandest buildings in Carthage. Throwing the reins of theirhorses to some slaves who stood in readiness at the foot of the steps,they entered the building. As they rode through the streets they hadnoticed that the population appeared singularly quiet and dejected,and the agitation which reigned in the club showed them that somethingunusual had happened. Groups of men were standing talking excitedlyin the great hall. Others with dejected mien were pacing the marblepavement. As Hamilcar entered, several persons hurried up to him.

  "Welcome back again!" they exclaimed; "your presence is most opportuneat this sad moment."

  "What has happened?" Hamilcar asked; "I have but this moment arrived,and rode straight here to hear the news of what has taken place in myabsence."

  "What! have you not heard?" they exclaimed; "for the last four daysnothing else has been talked of, nothing else thought of--Hasdrubal hasbeen assassinated!"

  Hamilcar recoiled a step as if struck.

  "Ye gods!" he exclaimed, "can this be so? Hasdrubal the handsome, ashe was well called, the true patriot, the great general, the eloquentorator, the soul of generosity and patriotism, our leader and hope,dead! Surely it cannot be."

  "It is too true, Hamilcar. Hasdrubal is dead--slain by the knife of anIberian, who, it seems, has for months been in his service, awaitingthe chance for revenge for some injuries which his family or people havesuffered from our arms.

  "It is a terrible blow. This morning a swift sailing ship has arrivedwith the news that the army of Spain have with one voice acclaimed theyoung Hannibal as their general, and that they demand the ratificationof their choice by the senate and people. Need I tell you how importantit is that this ratification should be gained? Hanno and his satellitesare furious, they are scattering money broadcast, and moving heaven andearth to prevent the choice falling upon Hannibal, and to secure theappointment for Hanno himself or one of his clique. They say that toappoint a youth like this to such a position would be a thing unheardof, that it would bring countless dangers upon the head of therepublic. We know, of course, that what they fear is not the youth andinexperience, but the talent and genius of Hannibal.

  "Young though he is, his wonderful abilities are recognized by us all.His father, Hamilcar, had the very highest hopes of him, Hasdrubal haswritten again and again saying that in his young kinsman he recognizedhis superior, and that in loftiness of aim, in unselfish patriotism, inclearness of judgment, in the marvellous ascendency he has gained overthe troops, in his talent in administration, and in the greatness of hismilitary conceptions, he saw in him a genius of the highest order. Ifit be in man to overthrow the rising greatness of Rome, to reform ourdisordered administration, to raise Carthage again to the climax of herglory and power, that man is Hannibal.

  "Thus, then, on him our hopes rest. If we can secure for him the commandof the army in Spain, he may do all and more than all that Hamilcarand Hasdrubal have done for us. If we fail, we are lost; Hanno willbe supreme, the official party will triumph, man by man we shall bedenounced and, destroyed by the judges, and, worse than all, our hopesof saving Carthage from the corruption and tyranny which have so longbeen pressing her into the dust are at an end. It is a good omen ofsuccess that you have returned from your expedition at such a criticalmoment. All has gone well with you, I hope. You know the fate thatawaits an unsuccessful general here."

  "Ay, I know," Hamilcar said bitterly; "to be judged by a secret tribunalof civilians, ignorant of even the rudimentary laws of war, and bentnot upon arriving at the truth, but of gratifying their patrons andaccomplices; the end, disgrace and execution.

  "No, my success has been complete, although not brilliant. I haveobtained the complete submission of the Atarantes, and have brought withme ten of their principal chiefs as hostages; but my success narrowlyescaped being not only a failure but a disaster. I had in vain strivento come to blows with them, when suddenly they fell upon me at night,and in the desperate combat which followed, well nigh half my forcefell; but in the end we inflicted a terrible chastisement upon them andcompletely humbled their pride."

  "So long as you succeeded in humbling them and bringing home hostagesfor their good behaviour, all is well; the lives of a few score ofsoldiers, more or less, matters little to Carthage. We have but to sendout an order to the tribes and we can replace them a hundred fold in aweek; 'tis only a failure which would be fatal. Carthage has sufferedsuch terrible disasters at the hands of her tributaries that shetrembles at the slightest rising, for its success might be the signalfor another general insurrection. If you have humbled the Atarantes, allis well.

  "I know the council have been anxiously expecting news of yourexpedition. Our opinion here has been from the first that, from thesmall force they placed at your command, they purposely sent you todisaster, risking the chance of extended trouble in order to obtaina ground of complaint by which they could inflame the minds of thepopulace against our party. But now, I recommend you to take somerefreshment at once after your journey. The inner council of the clubwill meet in an
hour, and their deliberations are likely to be long aswell as important, for the whole future of our party, and of Carthageitself, depends upon the issue."

  "Malchus," Hamilcar said, "do you mount your horse and ride out atonce and tell your mother that all has gone well with us, but that Iam detained here on important business, and may not return untilnightfall."

  "May I come back here, father, after I see my mother? I would fain be ofsome use, if I may. I am known to many of the sailors down at theport; I might go about among them trying to stir them up in favour ofHannibal."

  "You may come back if you like, Malchus; your sailors may aid us withtheir voices, or, should it come to anything like a popular disturbance,by their arms. But, as you know, in the voting the common peoplecount for nothing, it is the citizens only who elect, the traders,shopkeepers, and employers of labour. Common people count for no morethan the slaves, save when it comes to a popular tumult, and theyfrighten the shopkeeping class into voting in accordance with theirviews. However, we will leave no stone unturned that may conduce toour success. Do not hurry away from home, my boy, for your mother wouldthink it unkind after three months' absence. Our council is likely tolast for some hours; when it is at an end I will look for you here andtell you what has been determined upon."

  Malchus mounted his horse and rode out through the narrow streets of thelower city, through the gateway leading into the suburb, then he loosedthe rein and the horse started at a gallop along the broad road, linedwith stately mansions, and in a quarter of an hour stopped in front ofthe villa of Hamilcar.

  Throwing his bridle to a slave he ran up the broad steps of the porticoand entered the hall. His mother, a stately woman, clad in a longflowing garment of rich material embroidered in gold, arms and neckbare, her hair bound up in a knot at the back of her head, which wasencircled by a golden fillet, with pendants of the same metal encrustedwith gems falling on her forehead, rose eagerly to meet him, and his twosisters, girls older than himself, clad in white robes, confined at thewaist with golden belts, leaped to their feet with a cry of gladness.

  "Welcome back, my own son," his mother said; "all is well, I hope, withyour father; It is so, I am sure, for I should read evil news in yourface."

  "He is well, mother, well and victorious, though we had a rare fightfor it, I can tell you. But he is kept at the Barcine Syssite on mattersconnected with this terrible business of the death of Hasdrubal. He bademe give you his love, and say he would be back here as soon as he couldget away."

  "It is terrible news indeed, Malchus. The loss is a grievous blow toCarthage, but especially to us who are his near kinsfolk; but for themoment let us set it aside and talk of your doings. How the sun hasbronzed your face, child! You seem to have grown taller and stoutersince you have been away.

  "Yes," one of the sisters laughed, "the child is growing up, mother; youwill have to choose another name for him."

  "I think it is about time," Malchus said, joining in the laugh,"considering that I have killed a lion and have taken part in adesperate hand-to-hand fight with the wild Atarantes. I think even mymother must own that I am attaining the dignity of youth."

  "I wonder your father let you take part in such strife," the mother saidanxiously; "he promised me that he would, as far as possible, keep youout of danger."

  "Why, mother," Malchus said indignantly, "you don't suppose that myfather was going to coddle me as he might do one of the girls here. Youknow he has promised that I shall soon enter the Carthaginian guard, andfight in the next campaign. I think it has been very hard on me not tohave had a chance of distinguishing myself as my cousin Hannibal didwhen he was no older than I am."

  "Poor boy," his sister laughed, "he has indeed been unfortunate. Whocan say but that if he had only had opportunities he would have beena general by this time, and that Rome would have been trembling at theclash of his armour."

  Malchus joined heartily in the laugh about himself.

  "I shall never grow to be a general," he said, "unless you get me somefood; it is past midday, and I have not broken my fast this morning. Iwarn you that I shall not tell you a word of our adventures until I haveeaten, therefore the sooner you order a meal to be served the better."

  The meal was speedily served, and then for an hour Malchus sat with hismother and sisters, giving them a history of the expedition. There wasa little playful grumbling on the part of his sisters when he toldthem that he was going to return to the Syssite to hear what had beendetermined by the conclave.

  "Surely you can wait until our father returns here, Malchus," Thyra, theelder, said.

  "Yes; but I may be useful," Malchus replied. "There will be lots to bedone, and we shall all do our utmost."

  "Listen to him, mother," Anna, the younger sister, said, clapping herhands; "this comes of slaying lions and combating with the Atarantes; donot let us hinder him; beg the slaves to bring round a horse instantly.Carthage totters, let Malchus fly to its support. What part are youthinking of taking, my brother, do you mean to harangue the people, orto urge the galley slaves to revolt, or to lead the troops against thecouncil?"

  The two girls burst into a peal of merry laughter, in which Malchus,although colouring a little, joined heartily.

  "You are too bad, Anna; what I want is, of course, to hear what has beendone, and to join in the excitement, and really I am not such a boy asyou girls think me, just because you happen to be two or three yearsolder than I am. You persist in regarding me as a child; father doesn'tdo so, and I can tell you I may be more good than you think."

  "Well, go along, Malchus, do not let us keep you, and don't get intomischief and remember, my boy," his mother added, "that Carthage is aplace where it is well that no one should make more enemies than he canhelp. A secret foe in the council or among the judges is enough to ruinthe strongest. You know how many have been crucified or pressed to deathwithout a shadow of pretext, save that they had foes. I would not seeyou other than your father's son; you will belong, of course, to theBarcine party, but there is no occasion to draw enmity and hate uponyourself before you are in a position to do real service to the cause.And now ride off with you; I know all our words are falling on deafears, and that willful lads will go their own way."

  A few minutes later and Malchus was on his way back to the club. On hisarrival there he found that the sitting of the inner council was notyet finished. The building was thronged with the adherents of the partywaiting to ascertain what course was determined upon. He presentlycame across Adherbal and Giscon. The former, as usual, was gay, lighthearted, and disposed to view matters in a humorous light; Giscon wasstern and moody.

  "So, here you are again, Malchus," Adherbal said. "I thought you wouldsoon be back. I am glad you have come, for Giscon here grows monotonousas a companion. Nature in making him forgot to give him that spice ofhumour which is to existence what seasoning is to meat. I am ready tofight if it comes to fighting, to orate if talking is necessary, andto do anything else which may be within the limits of my powers, but Ican't for the life of me take matters as if the existence of the statedepended on me alone. I have already heard that all is well with you athome. I shall ride out there and see your mother when this business isover. What they can find to talk about so long I can't make out.

  "The question is a simple one, surely. Will it be better for Carthage atlarge, and our party in particular, for Hannibal to stay at the headof the army in Spain, or to come home and bring the influence of hispopularity and reputation to bear upon the populace? There is thequestion put in a nutshell, and if they can't decide upon it let themtoss up. There is virtue, I am ready to maintain, in an appeal to dameFortune.

  "Look round now, Malchus, is it not amusing to study men's characters.Look at little Philene going about among the groups, standing on tiptoeto whisper into the ear first of one and then of another. He prideshimself on his knowledge of affairs, and in his heart believes thathe is shamefully wronged inasmuch as he is not already on the secretcommittee.

  "Look at Bomilc
a leaning against that pillar and lazily pulling hismustache, an easygoing giant, who looks upon the whole thing as anuisance, but who, if he received orders from the conclave, would puthimself at the head of the Libyans, and would march to storm Hanno'shouse, and to slaughter his Numidian guard without a question.

  "Look at Magon's face of importance as he walks about without speakingto anyone. He is trying to convey to all the impression that he knowsperfectly well what is going on inside, and could if he chose tellyou what the decision will be. There is Carthalon, who is thinking atpresent, I warrant, more of the match which he has made of his Arabsteed against that of his comrade Phano, than of the matter in hand.But see, there is a stir, the curtains are drawing aside at last, themeeting is over."

  As he spoke the heavy curtains which shut off an inner room from thehall were drawn aside, and the council of the Syssite came out. Eachwas speedily surrounded by a group of the members of his own family, orthose who specially looked up to him as a leader. Malchus and the twoyoung officers were among those who gathered round Hamilcar.

  "It has been decided," the general said, "that Hannibal shall beretained in his command. Therefore, now let all set to work, each in hisown sphere. The populace must be stirred up. We have a small majorityin the council, but the middle class, the men who will vote, are withHanno. Some have been bought with his gold, some of the weak fools dreamthat Carthage can be great simply as a trading power without armyor navy, and think only of the present advantage they would gain byremission of taxation. It is these we have to fear, and we must operateupon them by means of the populace.

  "If the people gather in the streets and shout for Hannibal, thesecowards will hesitate. They are accessible only in their moneybags, andrather than risk a riot they would vote for the destruction of Moloch'stemple. Giscon and Adherbal, do you go to the barracks, get as manyof your comrades together as are of our way of thinking, talk to thesoldiers of the glories of Hamilcar Barca, of the rich booty they wonunder him, of the glory of their arms when he led them, tell them thatin Hannibal they have their old commander revived, and that Hanno andhis companions seek only to have him removed, because they fear that theluster of his deeds will overshadow them.

  "Urge that he is the elect of the army of Spain, that the voice of thesoldiers has acclaimed him, and that the troops here should join theirvoices to those of their comrades in Spain. They too may ere long haveto take share in the war, and would it not be far better for them to beled by a soldier like Hannibal than by Hanno, whose incapacity has beenproved a score of times, and who is solely chosen because he is rich,and because he has pandered to the fat traders and lazy shopkeepers?

  "Do you, Stryphex, go to the weavers' quarter; you have influence there.Work upon the men, point out to them how, since Hamilcar and Hasdrubalhave conquered Spain, and the gold and silver from the mines have pouredinto Carthage, their trade has flourished. Before that gold was scarceknown in the city, none could purchase their choice productions, theirwages would scarce keep the wolf from the door. Show them that underHanno disaster will be sure to befall our arms, that the Iberians willreconquer their soil, that the mines will be lost, and we shall have toreturn to the leather money of twenty years back."

  So one by one Hamilcar despatched the groups round him on variousmissions, until Malchus alone remained.

  "You, Malchus, can, as you suggested, go down to the port; ask thesailors and fishermen what will become of their trade were the Romangalleys cruising in our bay. Point out that our conquests in Spain havealready caused the greatest alarm in Rome, and that under Hannibal ourarms 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 hasalready produced. Ask them if they are willing that all this shall behazarded, in order that Hanno may gratify his personal ambition, andhis creatures may wring the last penny from the over taxed people ofCarthage. Don't try too much, my boy. Get together a knot of men whomyou 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 timeis well paid. Find out if there are any men who have special influencewith their fellows, and secure them on our side. Promise them what theywill; the Syssite will spend money like water to carry its object. Bediscreet, Malchus; when you have lit the fire, and see that it is wellon its way, withdraw quietly."

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

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

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

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

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

  "My sons have all taken to fishing," he said indifferently, "and itmatters nothing to them whether we lose the trade of Spain or not."

  "But it would make a difference," Malchus said, "if no more gold andsilver came from Spain, because then, you know, people wouldn't beable to pay a good price for fish, and there would be bad times for youfishermen. But that is not the worst of it. The Romans are so alarmed byour progress in Spain that they are glad to keep friends with us, but ifwe were driven out from there they would soon be at war again. You andyour sons would be pressed for the ships of war, and like enough youmight see the Roman fleets hovering on our coasts and picking up ourfishing boats."

  "By Astarte," the fisherman exclaimed, "but that would be serious,indeed; and you say all this will happen unless Hannibal remains asgeneral in Spain?"

  "That is so," Malchus nodded.

  "Then I tell you what, my boys," the fisherman said, rising and rubbinghis hands, "we must put our oars into this business. You hear what mylord Malchus tells us. Get up, there is work to be done. Now, sir, whatis the best way to stop this affair you tell us of? If it's got to bedone we will do it, and I think I can answer for three or four thousandfishing hands here who ain't going to stand by any more than I am andsee the bread taken out of their mouths. They know old Calcon, and willlisten to what he says. I will set about it at once."

  "That is just what I want," Malchus said. "I want you and your sons togo about among the fishermen and tell them what is proposed to be done,and how ruinous it will be for them. You know how fond of fishermen Iam, and how sorry I should be to see them injured. You stir them up forthe next three or four days, and get them to boiling point. I will letyou know when the time comes. There are other trades who will be injuredby this business, and when the time comes you fishermen with your oarsin your hands must join the others and go through the streets shouting'Hannibal for general! Down with Hanno and the tax gatherers!'"

  "Down with the tax gatherers is a good cry," the old fisherman said."They take one fish of every four I bring in, and always choose thefinest. Don't you be afraid, sir; we will be there, oars and all, whenyou give the word."

  "And now I want you to tell me the names of a few men who have influenceamong the sailors of the mercantile ships, and among those who load anddischarge the cargoes; their interest is threatened as well as yours. Iam commissioned to pay handsomely all who do their best f
or the cause,and I promise you that you and your sons shall earn as much in fourdays' work as in a month's toiling on the sea. The Barcine Club is knownto be the true friend of Carthage, the opponent of those who grind downthe people, and it will spare no money to see that this matter is wellcarried out."

  The fisherman at once went round with Malchus to the abodes of severalmen regarded as authorities by the sailors and stevedores. With these,partly by argument, but much more by the promises of handsome pay fortheir exertions, Malchus established an understanding, and paved the wayfor a popular agitation among the working classes of the waterside infavour of Hannibal.