"You must first inform us of the strength of Bodmilcar's force."
"One hundred and sixty Phœnicians. Six hundred or perhaps seven hundred Iberians."
"You must next tell us the place of rendezvous he had appointed, in case his attack should fail."
Hazael hesitated. Chamai said that if he revealed this, he would deserve a score of hangings for his treachery. Without noticing the interruption, I said again:
"You must tell us his place of rendezvous."
Again no answer.
"Except you tell, you shall be hanged this very minute."
And to show him that I was in earnest I called for a rope. Himilco produced a strong cable-end that he always wore round his waist under his kitonet. Hazael quivered and turned pale.
"Stop, stop! don't hang me! I will tell!"
"Out with it, then; quick!"