be restored to the Locrians without delay.  That the man who did not restore them should be visited with no light punishment.  He then held an assembly of the Locrians, and told them, that “the people and senate of Rome restored to them their liberty and their laws.  That if any one was desirous of bringing charges against Pleminius, or any one else, he should follow them to Rhegium.  If they were desirous of complaining, in the name of their state, of Publius Scipio, as having ordered and approved of the nefarious acts which had been committed at Locri against gods and men, that they should send deputies to Messana, where, with the assistance of his council, he would hear them.”  The Locrians returned thanks to the praetor and deputies, and to the senate and people of Rome, and said that they would go and bring their charge against Pleminius.  That Scipio, though he had evinced too little sympathy in the injuries inflicted on their state, was such a man as they would rather have their friend than their enemy; that they were convinced that the many and horrid acts which had been committed were done neither by the orders nor with the approval of Publius Scipio; that he had either placed too much confidence in Pleminius, or too little in them; that the natural disposition of some men was such, that they rather were unwilling that crimes should be committed, than had sufficient resolution to punish them when committed.  Both the praetor and his council were relieved from a burden of no ordinary weight in not having to take cognizance of charges against Scipio.  Pleminius, and as many as thirty-two persons with him, they condemned and sent in chains to Rome.  They then proceeded to Scipio, that they might carry to Rome a statement attested by their own observation relative to the facts which had been so generally talked of, concerning the dress and indolent habits of the general, and the relaxation of military discipline.

22.  While they were on their way to Syracuse, Scipio prepared to clear himself, not by words but facts.  He ordered all his troops to assemble there, and the fleet to be got in readiness, as though a battle had been to be fought that day with the Carthaginians, by sea and land.  On the day of their arrival he entertained them hospitably, and on the next day presented to their view his land and naval forces, not only drawn up in order, but the former performing evolutions, while the fleet in the harbour itself also exhibited a mock naval fight.  The praetor and the deputies were then conducted round to view the armouries, the granaries, and other preparations for the war.  And so great was the admiration excited in them of each particular, and of the whole together, that they firmly believed, that under the conduct of that general, and with that army, the Carthaginians would be vanquished, or by none other.  They bid him, with the blessing of the gods, cross over, and, as soon as possible, realize to the Roman people the