Bichri, who with twenty men had started on a foraging expedition, returned shivering with cold; he brought some good faggots, which, though they were damp, were very resinous, and burnt well. We lighted as many fires as we could, and heedless of the volumes of smoke which they emitted, we crouched closely around them as we cooked our supper.
Chamai, who had wrapped himself tightly in his mantle, was the first to break the depressing silence.
"Frightful, odious country!" he exclaimed, "can human creatures exist in such a desolation as this? It is a place for monsters, not for men!"
"It would just suit old Jonah, then," said Hannibal, with a sigh; "it would cheer us up, too, if Hanno were here to entertain us with a sprinkling of his wit."
"I do not think we need have much fear on their account," I said; "by this time, I should hope, they are pacing the sunny streets of Sidon, or enjoying the fragrant heights of Libanus."
"Yes; I daresay," Himilco assented; "and no doubt they have plenty of good wine to drink; wine, rich as nectar, from Helbon, Byblos, and Sarepta!"
"There now, enough of that," cried Hannibal; "cease your talking, or you will be making me as much a wine-bibber as yourself."
"Call me a wine-bibber?" groaned Hannibal, holding up a goblet of turbid water; "do you think this is the kind of stuff to get tipsy on?"
The dull mist grew more and more chilling, and every one appeared quite benumbed. Gebal was wrapped up in folds of woollen cloth, which Bichri had provided for him, but was almost too paralysed to make a grimace. We crouched down still closer to our fires, and obtained what unrefreshing sleep we could.