It had three lines of circumvallation, and upon the heights which surrounded it there extended a wall fortified with towers.

He had never commanded in such an enterprise before.

Moreover, he was beset with thoughts of Salammbo, and he raved in the delight of her beauty as in the sweetness of a vengeance that transported him with pride.

He felt an acrid, frenzied, permanent want to see her again.

He even thought of presenting himself as the bearer of a flag of truce, in the hope that once within Carthage he might make his way to her.