"Here they are," said Hanno, as he escorted them on to the deck; "they are like the weather, half smiles, half tears."
Chamai declared that he would rather contend with ten armed men than with one angry sea; I told him, however, that he had behaved admirably, considering it was his first squall, but recommended him to be cautious for the future how he spoke irreverently of the gods.
Emerging from the hold, helmet in one hand, cuirass in the other, Hannibal came up to us, saying:
"I have had such sharp work all night in keeping those beggarly rowers up to the mark, that I had no time to look to my armour; I expected to find it battered to bits; but thanks to your gods, Ashtoreth or any one you like, it is all safe and sound. Happy to see you, ladies; I hope you have recovered your fright, and regained your appetites. I am hungry enough."
And as he caught sight of Himilco and Bichri, enjoying themselves over the goat-skin, he hurried off to join them.
By the afternoon the sun had dispersed the clouds entirely, and the deep blue waters shone brightly in contrast with the verdant land from which we were distant not more than thirty stadia. I sent the Cabiros on ahead to find a suitable place for anchorage, where we might rest and repair our damages. Whilst we were sitting on the deck of the Ashtoreth, basking in the sunshine, and taking a simple repast of dried figs, unleavened bread, and raw onions, to our great delight we saw the Dagon coming on behind us. She had lost her yard-arm with its sail attached, but drifted along by the tempest, she had surmounted all further perils. Happily we had a good store of spare sails to replace what were lost. We came up with the Cabiros as she was lying off the head of a high promontory, waiting to announce that on the southern slope of the headland there was a fine bay, into which a river debouched from an open and fertile valley. All three vessels accordingly rounded the point, and steering to the south, along the coast, by nightfall had reached the middle of the bay, whence the shore recedes considerably to the east. Here the Dagon and the Ashtoreth were brought to anchor, and the Cabiros was drawn up on shore. The anchorage was very good, and the weather continued beautiful; inland we could see lights gleaming from several villages, and thus feeling secure, with light hearts, though with weary bodies, we laid ourselves down to rest, and slept soundly throughout the night.