30.4
The
envoys who were sent to Syphax were accompanied by some first-rank
centurions, men of tried courage and sagacity, who were disguised as
camp-servants. Whilst the envoys were in conference these men strolled
about the camp noting all the adits and exits, the general arrangement of the
camp, the positions of the Carthaginians and Numidians, respectively, and
the distance between Hasdrubal's camp and that of Syphax. They also
watched the methods adopted in posting the watches and guards, to see
whether a surprise attack would be better made by night or by day. The
conferences were pretty frequent, and different men were purposely sent
each time in order that these details might become known to a larger
number. As the discussions went on with increasing frequency, Syphax, and
through him the Carthaginians, fully expected that peace would be attained
with a few days. Suddenly the Roman envoys announced that they had been
forbidden to return to headquarters unless a definite reply were given.
Syphax must either say what he had made up his mind to do or, if it was
necessary for him to consult Hasdrubal and the Carthaginians, he should do
so; the time had come for either a peace settlement or an energetic
resumption of hostilities. Whilst Syphax was consulting Hasdrubal and the
Carthaginians, the Roman spies had time to visit every part of the camp, and
Scipio was able to make all his arrangements. The prospect of peace had, as
usually happens, made Syphax and the Carthaginians less on the alert to
guard against any hostile attempt which might be made in the meantime. At
last a reply came, but as the Romans were supposed to be anxious for peace,
the opportunity was taken of adding some unacceptable conditions. This was
just what Scipio wanted to justify him in breaking off the armistice. He told
the king's messenger that he would refer the matter to his council, and the
next day he gave his reply to the effect that not a single member of the
council beside himself was in favour of peace. The messenger was to take
word that the only hope of peace for Syphax lay in his abandoning the cause
of the Carthaginians. Thus Scipio put an end to the truce in order that he
might be free to carry out his plans without any breach of faith. He launched
his ships -it was now the commencement of spring -and placed his engines
and artillery on board as though he were going to attack Utica from the sea.
He also sent 2000 men to hold the hill commanding the city which he had
previously occupied, partly with a view of diverting the enemy's attention
from his real design, and partly to prevent his camp from being attacked
from the city, as it would be left with only a weak guard while he was
marching against Syphax and Hasdrubal.