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306 THE DECLINE AND FALL [Chap, xli our unhappy nation. While you have subdued Sardinia, we have lost Africa. No sooner did Belisarius appear with a hand- ful of soldiers than courage and prosperity deserted the cause of the Vandals. Your nephew Gibamund, your brother Amniatas, have been betrayed to death by the cowardice of their followers. Our horses, our ships, Carthage itself, and all Africa, are in the power of the enemy. Yet the Vandals still prefer an igno- minious repose at the expense of their wives and children, their wealth and liberty. Nothing now remains, except the field of Bulla and the hope of your valour. Abandon Sardinia ; fly to our relief; restore our empire, or perish by our side." On the receipt of this epistle, Zano imparted his grief to the principal Vandals ; but the intelligence was prudently concealed from the natives of the island. The troops embarked in one hundred and twenty galleys at the port of Cagliari, cast anchor the third day on the confines of Mauritania, and hastily pursued their march to join the royal standard in the camp of Bulla. Mourn- ful was the interview : the two brothers embraced ; they wept in silence ; no questions were asked of the Sardinian victory ; no inquiries were made of the African misfortunes ; they saw before their eyes the whole extent of their calamities ; and the absence of their wives and children afforded a melancholy proof that either death or captivity had been their lot. The languid spirit of the Vandals was at length awakened and united by the entreaties of their king, the example of Zano, and the instant danger which threatened their monarchy and religion. The military strength of the nation advanced to battle; and such was the rapid increase that, before their army reached Tri- cameron, about twenty miles from Carthage, they might boast, perhaps with some exaggeration, that they surpassed, in a ten- fold proportion, the diminutive powers of the Romans. But [Battle of these powers were under the command of Belisarius ; and, as maron] he was conscious of their superior merit, he permitted the Bar- barians to surprise him at an unseasonable hour. The Romans were instantly under arms ; a rivulet covered their front ; the cavalry formed the first line, which Belisarius supported in the centre, at the head of five hundred guards ; the infantry, at some distance, was posted in the second line ; and the vigilance of the general watched the separate station and ambiguous faith of the Massagetae, who secretly reserved their aid for the