If there were any who entertained such a feeing, that he would rather they should then confess it to him, than, complaining afterwards, prove themselves slothful and useless soldiers to the state.

He desired that they would openly avow their sentiments, for that he would hear them with kindly feeling." When one of the number took courage to declare, that if he were allowed the uncontrolled exercise of his will he certainly would not serve, Scipio replied to him thus: "Since then, young man, you have not dissembled your sentiments, I will furnish a substitute for you, to whom I request that you transfer your arms, your horse, and other appliances of war; and, taking him hence immediately to your house, train him, and take care that he is instructed in the management of his horse and arms." The youth accepted the terms joyfully, when Scipio delivered to him one of the three hundred whom he kept unarmed.

The rest, seeing the horseman thus discharged without giving any offence to the general, began severally to excuse themselves and receive substitutes.

Thus Roman horsemen were substituted for the three hundred Sicilian, without any expense to the state.

The Sicilians had the care of instructing and training them, because the general had ordered that the man who should not do so, should serve himself.