Finding his equanimity restored, I proceeded to show him my cargo, and had the captives brought forward for him to see. Without any haggling (for Adonibal was really a generous and large-hearted man) he agreed to pay a liberal price, alike for the sulphur, the lava, and the slaves.
He next made a complete inspection of my ships, and expressed himself much pleased with their construction and arrangements. Eager to make amends for his rough reception of us on our arrival, he promised me that I should be allowed to put my ships into a dry dock, free of dues, saying that this would give me an opportunity of examining the copper sheathing. He then gave orders for his purchases to be embarked, and for the slaves to be properly guarded, adding that he himself was going across the bay to settle some disputes that had arisen amongst the Tyrians. He summoned his officers to accompany him with their ropes and scourges, and said to me:
"Farewell, for the present, Mago; I see that your men are all longing to get ashore. I was young myself once, and I have not forgotten what it is to have some shekels burning holes in your pocket."
He made a sign to his attendants, and preceded by his scribe and officers, re-entered his boat and departed.
Having thus disposed so satisfactorily of my property, I no longer delayed giving the men the permission that they were anticipating, to go on shore; and with the exception of the few who were of necessity told off to take charge of the ships, they lost no time in availing themselves of their liberty.
The Phocians had wrapped their dead comrade in a winding-sheet, and proposed to carry him to a cemetery of which one of my sailors had told them. Before they started, I presented Aminocles, as a token of my appreciation of his services, with a couple of silver shekels. He stared at them, quite bewildered.
"Ah!" said I, "I forgot that you barbarians do not know anything about coined money; but never mind—the sailors who are going with you will show you what to do with them. Trust them for that."
Accompanied by Hanno, Hannibal, Chamai, and Bichri, and taking the two women. I landed on the principal quay, Himilco and his friend Gisgo, with Hasdrubal and Hamilcar, preferring to go in another direction. We all had well-filled purses, and those who had never before seen the famous city, were impatient to inspect its wonders.
Our first resort was to the temple of Ashtoreth. This was at the basement of one of the forts that protect the entrance to the harbour, and was at a very little distance from the place where our ships were lying; and as neither Bichri, Chamai, nor Abigail wished to make any offering to the goddess, they waited for us upon the quay, entertained, they said, in watching the numerous vessels going in and out both of the Cothôn and of the trade-harbour, of which the outer basin was visible from this point.
