Could we have marched straight on after the victory at Lake Trasimene and have captured Rome, all these mountain tribes would have taken the opportunity to pour down into the plains to plunder and slay under the pretence of being our allies." It was not until nightfall that the five parties returned to the spot where they had left their leaders.

Three of them had been entirely unsuccessful, but the other two had each brought in a native.

These men looked sullen and obstinate, and it was not until Malchus had ordered a halter to be placed round their necks and threatened them with instant death that they consented to act as guides.
A vigilant watch was kept over them all night, and at daybreak next morning the party started.

For some miles they rode along at the foot of the mountains, and then entered a valley up which a little used track ran.

The men upon being questioned intimated that it was several hours' journey to the village of the chief of whom they were in search.
This, indeed, proved to be the case, for it was not till the afternoon, after many hours' weary journey up gorges and through mountain valleys, that they arrived within sight of the village of Ostragarth.