Peace N咭otiations.-From the proceeded at once to storm the enemies tity of plunder was secured. Eei having received intelligence 公洛t had arrived off Utica， with 50. warships and ioo transports 长砰户ea wi碑华ppies of甲瞥.kind.，La彭ius was. sent. .,乡。carry the news or the victory to zicipio, wno, tninxing that the panic in Carthage ough t to be increased by threatening the city on all sides, ordered Octavius to march the legions thither overland while he himself sailed from Utica, with his old fleet strengthened by the division which Lentulus had brought, and steered for the harbour of Carthage. As he was approaching it he was met by a vessel·hung- with bands of white wool and branches of olive. In it there were the ten foremost men of the State, who, on Hannibal's advice, had been sent as an embassy to sue for peace. As soon as they were near the stern of the general's vessel they held upthesuppliant emblems imploring appeals to Scipio for his pity and protection. The only answer vouchsafed them was that they were to go to Tunis, as Scip ，his army to that place. on his e harbour of Carthage in order to survey the situation of the city, not so much for the purpose of acquiring information as of discouraging the enemy. He then sailed back to Utica and recalled Octavius thither also. As the latter was on his way to Tunis he was informed that Vermina, the son of Syphax, was coming to the aid of the Carthaginians with a force consisting mainly of cavalry. Octavius attacked the Numidians whilst on the march with a portion of his infantry and the who le of his cavalry. The action took place on December 17, and soon ended in the utter rout of the Numidians. As they were completely surrounded by the Roman cavalry all avenues of escape were closed; 巧,ooo were killed and 1200 taken prisoners, 15oo horses were also secured and 7:standards. The prince himself escaped with a few horsemen. The Romans then reoccupied their old position at Tunis, and here an embassy‘consisting of thirty delegates had an interview with Scipio. Though they adopted a much humbler tone than on the previous occasion as indeed their desperate condition demanded, th ey were listened to with much less sympathy on account of their recent breach of faith. At first the council of war, moved by a righteous indignation, were in favour of the complete destruction of Carthaae. When. however, d‘几曰户产日尸 of the task and the length of time which the investment of so strong and we] a city would occupy, they felt considerable hesitation Scipio himself too was afraid that his successor might come and claim the Lylorv of terminatinz the war.