In a voice loud enough to be heard above the roar of the tempest, I shouted to Chamai that now was the time to invoke his God. To Bichri's inquiries whether the danger was really great, I answered that I had experienced worse weather in the Syrtes, and had known worse peril on the sea beyond the Straits of Gades, the swell out there being very long; but here, though rough and strong, the sea was short, and the ships seemed as though they might hold their own.
Chryseis and Abigail were in their cabin locked in each other's arms. Chamai and Bichri, although quite unaccustomed to the sea, and scarcely able to maintain their footing, kept up their spirits bravely, and to their very utmost assisted the sailors in securing the rigging and making fast the stowage; but nothing could exceed the terror of the great hulking Jonah, who, in the most abject state of alarm, threw himself down upon the floor of the hold, where, like a big bundle, he was rolled about at every pitch and lurching of the vessel.
"Oh, oh! why did I come?" he groaned, in the agonies of despair; "why did I come? why did I leave the village where I had plenty, and more than plenty? I shall be drowned, drowned in the sea, and the fishes will eat me! Oh, oh!"
"Out of the way, you great camel!" said Hannibal, giving the poor wretch a tremendous kick in the ribs; "you will be smashing something if you keep floundering about in this way; you all but threw me down just now. Here, some of you," he called to the sailors, "come and lash this fool to the foot of the mast."
The unwieldy giant was rolled helplessly along, and bound securely as Hannibal directed.
Going to the stern, I found Himilco doing his best to instruct the helmsman. He informed me that he had quite lost sight of the Dagon. Just as he spoke, an enormous wave almost dashed the Cabiros against our side, and a vivid flash of lightning revealed Hamilcar and Gisgo gesticulating vehemently to their men.
"A fine beginning to our voyage!" shouted Gisgo, as he passed us.
"Hold on, man; face it out! and we shall conquer in the end," I screamed in reply.
To Hanno, who stood clinging to a rope, gazing out upon the sea, I said:
"Keep up your courage, Hanno."