He had noticed that the western wind had driven the sand so as to obstruct the river and form a natural causeway across it.
He was now on the left bank in front of Utica, and in a vast plain, the latter being advantageous for his elephants, which formed the strength of his army.
This feat of genius filled the soldiers with enthusiasm.

They recovered extraordinary confidence.

They wished to hasten immediately against the Barbarians; but the Suffet bade them rest for two hours.

As soon as the sun appeared they moved into the plain in three lines--first came the elephants, and then the light infantry with the cavalry behind it, the phalanx marching next.
The Barbarians encamped at Utica, and the fifteen thousand about the bridge were surprised to see the ground undulating in the distance.

The wind, which was blowing very hard, was driving tornadoes of sand before it; they rose as though snatched from the soil, ascended in great light-coloured strips, then parted asunder and began again, hiding the Punic army the while from the Mercenaries.