On the approach of the Roman praetor the Carthagini evacuated the territory of Nola and marched down to the CO;1 close to Neapolis, as he was anxious to secure a seaport t01j to which there might be a safe passage for ships coming freE. Africa. When, however, he learnt that Neapolis was held I a Roman officer, M. Junius Silanus, who had been invited the Neapolitans} he left Naples, as he had left Nola, and went t< Nuceria. He spent some time in investing the place, ofttf attacking it, and often making tempting proposals to the chi men of the place and to the leaders of the populace, but all no purpose. At last famine did its work, and he received th. submission of the town, the inhabitants being allowed to depal without arms and with one garment apiece. Then, to kef:: up his character of being friendly to an the Italian nationaliti except the Romans, he held out honours and rewards to thCh' who consented to remain in his service. Not a single man Wf" tempted by the prospect. they all dispersed, wherever thi: had friends, or wherever e!ch man's fancy led him, amongst t " cities of Campania, mainly Nola and Neapolis. About thirt. of their senators, and, as it happened, their principal on ' endeavoured to enter Capua, but were refused admission becat, they had closed their gates against Hannibal. They acco":" ingly went on to Cumae. The plunder of Nuceria was giv to the soldiers, the city itself was burnt. Marcellus retained his hold on Nola quite as much by support of its leading men as by the confidence he felt in troops. Fears were entertained as to the populace and espf ally L. Bantius. This enterprising young man was at tl ' time almost the most distinguished among the allied ca vaIr but the knowledge that he had attempted revolt and his fel; of the Roman praetor were driving him on to betray his count}'"; or, if he found no means of doing that, to become a deserte:J He had been discovered lying half-dead on a heap of bodies ot the field of Cannae, and after being taken the utmost care oj Hannibal sent him home loaded \vith presents. I-lis feeling: of gratitude for such kindness made him wish to place thi government of Nola in the hands of the Carthaginian, and h anxiety and eagerness for a revolution attracted the observa tion of the praetor. As it was necessary either to restrain tht youth by punishment or to win him by kindness, the praetor chose the latter course, preferring to secure such a brave and terprising youth as a friend rather than to lose him to the ,emy. He invited him to come and see him and spoke to him Jst kindly. "You can easily understand," he told him, "that any of your countrymen are jealous of you, from the fact that Jt a single citizen of Nola has pointed out to me l,your many .stinguished military services. But the bravery of a man ho has served in a Roman camp cannot be hidden. lany of our fellow-soldiers tell me what a young hero you are, and ow many perils and dangers you have undergone in defence f the safety and honour of Rome. I am told that you did not ive up the struggle on the field of Cannae until you were buried,. lmost lifeless, beneath a falling mass of men and horses and rms. May you long live to do still more gallant deeds! With ae you will gain every honour and reward, and you will find 1Iat the more you are in my company the more will it lead to our profit and promotion." The young man was delighted -ith these promises. The praetor made him a present of a ?lendid charger and authorised the quaestor to pay him 500 '1 ver coins; 4 he also instructed his lictors to allow him to pass henever he wished to see him.