对arcellus Hannibal.-Marcellus was not particularly disturbed by this serious disaster. He sent a despatch to the senate informing them of the loss of the general and his army at Herdonea and adding that he himself was the same Marcellus who had beaten Hannibal when flushed with his victory at Cannae, that he intended to meet him and would soon put an end to any pleasure he might feel at his recent success. In Rome itself there was great mourn what had happened and great apprehension as to what 庄.h in the future. The consul marched out of Samnium and advanced as far as Numistro in Lucania. Here he encamped in full view of Hannibal. who was occupying on level grounda hill. To show the confidence he felt, he was the first to offer hattle. and when Hannibal saw the standards emerging from the gates of the camp, he did not decline the challenge. They formed their lines so that the Carthaginian rested his 吨ht on the hill, while the Roman left was protected by t咏 town.The troops who were first engaged were, on the Roman side, the first legi on and the right wing of the allies: those V月J， under Hannibal comprised the Spanish infantry and the Balearic slingers. When the action had commenced the elephants were driven on to the field. The contest was prolonged from the third hour of the day until nightfall, and when the front lines were worn out, the third legion relieved the first and the left wing of the allies took the place of the right. Fresh troops also came into action on the other side, with the result that instead of a spiritless and exhausted struggle a fierce fight broke out anew between men who were fresh in mind and body. Night, however, separated the combatants whilst the victory was yet undecided.' The following day the Romans remained under arms from sunrise till well on in the day, ready to renew the contest. But as no enemv showed himself. thev began to Bather the sDOils of the new, ana alter collecting the Domes of the slain into one heap, they burnt them. Hannibal broke up his camp quietly at night and withdrew into, ADulia. When davlight revealed the enemies' flight. Marcellus made up his mind to follow in his track. He left the wounded with a small guard at Numistro under the charge of L. Furius Furpurlo. one of his militarv tribunes.and came、li j% witn tianniDai at v enusia. riere for some nays tnere were skirmishes between the outposts and slight actions in which both cavalry and infantry took part, but no regular battle. In nearly every case the Romans had the advantage. Both armies traversed Apulia without fighting any important action, Hannibal marching by night}always on the look-out for a chance of surprise or ambush, Marcellus never movinz but in davlizht. ana tnen only alter careiui reconnoitring.