a secret place, and as if uninformed, in what position affairs were:  “That hitherto fear had withheld the minds of the Spaniards to them, because the Romans were at a great distance:  that now the Roman camp was on this side the Iberus, a secure fortress and asylum for such as desired a change, that therefore those whom fear could not bind should be attached by kindness and favour.”  When Bostar, in astonishment, earnestly asked him, what sudden gift of so much importance that could be, he replied, “Send back the hostages to their states:  this will be an acceptable boon, privately to their parents, who possess the greatest influence in their respective states, and publicly to the people.  Every man wishes to have confidence reposed in him; and confidence reposed generally enforces the fidelity itself.  The office of restoring the hostages to their homes, I request for myself; that I may enhance my project by the trouble bestowed, and that I may add as much value as I can to a service in its own intrinsic nature so acceptable.”  When he had persuaded the man, who was not cunning as compared with Carthaginian minds in general, having gone secretly and by night to the outposts of the enemy, he met with some auxiliary Spaniards; and having been brought by them into the presence of Scipio, he explains what brought him.  Pledges of fidelity having been given and received, and the time and place for delivering the hostages having been appointed, he returns to Saguntum.  The following day he spent with Bostar, in taking his commands for effecting the business; having so arranged it, that he should go by night, in order that he might escape the observation of the enemy, he was dismissed; and awakening the guards of the youths at the hour agreed upon with them, set out and led them, as if unconsciously, into a snare prepared by his own deceit.  They were brought to the Roman camp, and every thing else respecting the restoration of the hostages was transacted as had been agreed upon with Bostar, and in the same course as if the affair had been carried on in the name of the Carthaginians.  But the favour of the Romans was somewhat greater than that of the Carthaginians would have been in a similar case; for misfortune and fear might have seemed to have softened them, who had been found oppressive and haughty in prosperity.  The Roman, on the contrary, on his first arrival, having been unknown to them before, had begun with an act of clemency and liberality:  and Abelux, a man of prudence, did not seem likely to have changed his allies without good cause.  Accordingly all began, with great unanimity, to meditate a revolt; and hostilities would immediately have commenced, had not the winter intervened, which compelled the Romans, and the Carthaginians also, to retire to shelter.