"Exactly!" said Hannibal, "the very facsimile! and Judge Gebal he shall be called!"
We now made our way with our new purchase down to the quay, whence a small boat carried us across the trade-harbour to the opposite island, on which are built the handsome residences of the more wealthy inhabitants of the city; for during the last ten years many of the merchants have amassed considerable fortunes, and abandoning sea-life, have settled down in homes replete with luxury. We walked to the extremity of the island, and after leaving the two women at the noble bath-room at the top of the wall above the small basin in which the pleasure-boats of the rich inhabitants are kept, we betook ourselves to the men's baths, and enjoyed the refreshment of a wash and a shave. Rejoined by the women, we rowed across to the nearest point of the Cothôn, and paid a visit to the signal-tower; thence we went on foot to the magnificent gardens that lie between the citadel and the lower town. Here I showed my party the temple of Achmon, and took them to see the public fountains, the constant resort of both sexes for lounging and gossip.
Night coming on, we returned to the Ashtoreth, on which the lamps were already lighted. Going on board, I found the slave of the man who had entertained me during my former visit to Utica waiting for me with an invitation from his master to dine with him next day, and I sent a message that we should be pleased to avail ourselves of his hospitality. During our day's absence my cook had prepared a sumptuous repast, which we all thoroughly enjoyed.
The trumpets now sounded the signal for calling in the sailors. They came dropping in two or three at a time, all more or less tipsy, and some of them inclined to be noisy; but so strong was their habit of submission to discipline, that no sooner had they stepped on board than they relapsed into their wonted silence, and retired quietly to their berths. Himilco was among the last to return, and to his credit I feel bound to record that he was quite able to walk across the deck without any assistance from his friend Gisgo.
CHAPTER XII.
I CONSULT THE ORACLE.
I made it my first business on the following morning to go to the great market-place, near the trade-harbour and the temple of Achmon. It is surrounded by lofty houses upon an arcade, under which are the retail shops of the tradespeople, their warehouses being in courts at the back. In these shops every variety of Libyan merchandise was exhibited for sale. There were hides, dressed and undressed; stones prepared for engraving; Numidian copper; lion-skins from Mount Atlas; thongs of hippopotamus-hide from Lake Tritonis; elephants' tusks from the Macar; corn from Zeugis and Byzatium, and wool from the land of the Garamantines. I spent a considerable time in making purchases of ivory, and procured a good supply at a very fair price; and later in the day went with Hannibal and Hamilcar to fulfil the engagement I had made on the previous night. Hanno and Chamai preferred escorting Chryseis and Abigail about the city; and Bichri went for an evening's diversion with Gisgo, Hasdrubal, and Himilco.
Barca, our host, one of the richest shipowners in the colony, had prepared us an elegant entertainment in a handsome tent pitched upon the terrace of his house. As soon as the meal was ended, wine was brought in, and musicians and dancing-girls performed for our amusement; and one of Barca's slaves, an old Libyan, who was well versed in the songs and traditions of his people, repeated his tales about the mystery and wonders of their origin.