Page:The Song of the Sirens.djvu/86



"In that ravine," Iarbas went on, "they were out of sight and sound of the city. Every day he passed there at the same time, unattended except by Achates. After traversing the hollow they turned east again, skirted Magar hill on the north and reentered the city by the Magar gate."

"You meant to ambush him in the gorge," Anna said quietly. "How many men did you expect to have with you?"

"A hundred," Iarbas replied.

"Fifty to one," Anna commented. "Surely you brought more than a hundred?"

"I gathered twenty thousand spearmen before I set out," Iarbas told her, "but I intended only a hundred for the ambush."

"When did you set out?" Anna queried settling herself against the balustrade and pillar.

"We left Usinaz a month ago to-day," Iarbas answered, "but we rode slowly, foresaw no need for haste. We crossed the Bagradas high up and camped this side of Zama. There we stayed several days, six or eight I think, resting the camels and horses, while I compared reports. We were still there four days ago. Three days ago we broke camp at dawn. I meant to catch him early yesterday morning. Runners came to me early with the news of the mustering of the Trojans, of their leaving the city, of the launch of the fleet; but as my forces were camped well