At last a crack was heard, and a huge stone ricocheting on the lower arches rolled to the ground,--and suddenly a cataract, an entire river, fell from the skies onto the plain.

The aqueduct, being cut through in the centre, was emptying itself.

It was death to Carthage and victory for the Barbarians.
In an instant the awakened Carthaginians appeared on the walls, the houses, and the temples.

The Barbarians pressed forward with shouts.
They danced in delirium around the great waterfall, and came up and wet their heads in it in the extravagance of their joy.
A man in a torn, brown tunic was perceived on the summit of the aqueduct.

He stood leaning over the very edge with both hands on his hips, and was looking down below him as though astonished at his work.
Then he drew himself up.