The Carthaginians, however, grew indignant at this waste of water.

The ram was demolishing the wall, when suddenly a fountain sprang forth from the disjointed stones.

Then the lofty brazen mass, nine stories high, which contained and engaged more than three thousand soldiers, began to rock gently like a ship.
In fact, the water, which had penetrated the terrace, had broken up the path before it; its wheels stuck in the mire; the head of Spendius, with distended cheeks blowing an ivory cornet, appeared between leathern curtains on the first story.

The great machine, as though convulsively upheaved, advanced perhaps ten paces; but the ground softened more and more, the mire reached to the axles, and the helepolis stopped, leaning over frightfully to one side.

The catapult rolled to the edge of the platform, and carried away by the weight of its beam, fell, shattering the lower stories beneath it.