Roman Treatment of Henna.-Other cities took courage from this example of defection, and the Roman garrisons were either expelled from their strongholds or treacherously overpowered. Henna, situated on a lofty position precipitous on all sides,. was naturally impregnable, and it had also a strong Roman,. garrison and a con1mandant who \vas not at an a suitable man for traitors to approach. L. Pinarius was a keen soldier and trusted more to his own vigilance and alertness than to thefidelity of the Sicilians. The numerous betrayals and defections. which reached his ears and the massacre of R oman garrisons, Inade him more than ever careful to take every possible precaution. So by day and night alike, everything was in readiness, every position occupied by guards and sentinels, and thesoldiers never laid aside their arms or left their posts. The' chief citizens of Henna had already come to an understanding with Himilco about betraying the garrison, and when they observed an this vigilance and recognised that the Romans were: not open to any treacherous surprise, they saw that they would' have to use forcible measures. "The city and its stronghold," they said, " are under our authority; if as free men we accepted' the Roman alliance we did not hand ourselves over to be kept in custody as slaves. We think it right, therefore, that the keys of the gates should be given up to us; the strongest bond, between good aBies is to trust one another's 10yaIty; it is only' if we remain friends \vith Rome voluntarily and not by constraint, that your people can feel grateful to us." To this the Roman commandant replied: "I have been placed in charge here by my commanding officer, it is from him, that I have received the keys of the gates and the custody of the citadel; I do not hold these things at my own disposal or at the disposal of the citizens of Henna, but at the disposal of the man. who committed them to my charge. To quit one's post is with the Romans a capital offence, and fathers have even punished: it as such in the case of their own children. The consul Marcellus is not far away, send to him, he has the right and authority to act in the matter." They said that they should not send, and if argument failed they \vould seek some other method of vindicating their liberty. To this Pinarius answered: " Well,. if you think it too much trouble to send to the consul, you can, at all events, give me an opportunity of consulting the people, that it may be made clear whether this demand proceeds from: a few or from the whole body of the citizens." They agreed to, convene a meeting of the assembly the fo]]owing day.