35.
Dealings which had to do with Masinissa, begun even before this time, had been postponed on one pretext or another because the Numidian desired in any case to meet Scipio in person and to ratify the agreement by clasping his hand. That was Scipio's reason at this time for a march so long and so circuitous.
[
2]
Masinissa, being at Gades and informed by Marcius of Scipio's approach, pretended that the horses, being shut up on an island,
1 were deteriorating and not only causing a general scarcity for the rest but also themselves suffering from it.
[
3]
Adding that the horsemen were losing their vigour from inaction, he prevailed upon Mago to permit him to cross over to the mainland in order to lay waste the nearest lands in Spain.
[
4]
After crossing over he sent three prominent Numidians in advance to fix a time and
[p. 143]place for a conference. He gave instructions that
2 two were to be kept by Scipio as hostages. When the third had been sent back to conduct Masinissa to the place indicated in the order, they came with a small escort to the conference.
[
5]
The Numidian had already been filled with admiration for the man in consequence of his reported achievements, and had conjured up in mind an ideal figure, tall and stately.
[
6]
But greater still was the reverence that possessed him for the man in his presence; and while Scipio had great natural dignity, long hair added charm, as did a general appearance not due to studied elegance, but truly masculine and soldierly;
[
7]
and his age was exactly at the height of physical strength, amplified and made more dazzling by the youthful bloom which appeared to have been renewed after his illness.
[8]
Almost dazed by merely meeting him, the Numidian thanked him for sending home his nephew.3 From that time on, he said, he had sought the opportunity which he did not let slip when at last it was. presented him by the favour of the immortal gods.
[9]
He was eager to give such services to Scipio and the Roman people that no individual foreigner would have aided the Roman state with more ardour.
[10]
That aid, although he had long wished to give it, he had been unable to furnish in Spain, a foreign and unknown land. But in the land in which he had been born and brought up in the hope of inheriting his father's kingdom, he would easily furnish it.
[11]
If indeed the Romans should send Scipio as commander into Africa as well he was quite confident that Carthage would be very short-lived.
[12]
Scipio was glad to see and hear him, since he knew that in the entire cavalry of the enemy Masinissa had been the soul [p. 145]of everything, and in himself the young man showed4 clear evidence of his spirit. After giving and receiving promises Scipio set out on the return to Tarraco.
[13]
Masinissa by permission of the Romans, that he might not appear to have crossed to the mainland without reason, devastated the nearest lands and returned to Gades.
