When it seemed best to Scipio not to delay any further but to involve Hannibal in conflict whether he wished it or not, he set out for Utica, that by creating an impression of fear and flight he might gain a favorable opportunity for attack; and this was what took place.  Hannibal, thinking that he was in flight and being correspondingly encouraged, pursued him with cavalry only.  Contrary to his expectations Scipio resisted, engaged in battle and came out victorious.  After routing this body he directed his next attentions not to pursuing them but to their equipment train, which chanced to be on the march, and he captured it entire.  This behavior caused Hannibal alarm, an alarm increased by the news that Scipio had done no injury to three Carthaginian spies whom he had found in his camp.  Hannibal had learned this fact from one of them, for the other two had chosen to remain with the Romans.  Disheartened and confused he no longer felt the courage to carry on a decisive engagement with the Romans, but determined to make efforts for a truce as quickly as possible, in order that if this attempt should not be successful, it might at least cause a temporary delay and cessation of hostilities.  So he sent to Masinissa, and through him as a man of the same stock asked for a truce.  And he secured a conference with Scipio, but accomplished nothing.  For Scipio avoided a definite answer as much as he did a harsh one, but throughout pursued a middle course, albeit preserving an agreeable tone, in order to lead Hannibal into careless behavior by pretending a willingness to come to terms.  Such was the result.  Hannibal now gave no thought to battle, but concerned himself with a desire to change his camp to a more favorable location.  Scipio, gaining this information from deserters, broke up beforehand by night and occupied the spot which was the goal of Hannibal’s striving.  And when the Carthaginians had reached a depressed part of the road unsuited for encampment he suddenly confronted them.  Hannibal refused to fight and in his efforts to locate a camp there and to dig wells he had a hard time of it all night long.  Thus Scipio forced the enemy, while at a disadvantage from weariness and thirst, to offer battle whether pleased or not.

Accordingly, the Romans entered the conflict well marshaled and eager, but Hannibal and the Carthaginians listlessly and in dejection, a dejection for which a total eclipse of the sun at this time was largely accountable.  From this combination of circumstances Hannibal suspected that this, too, foreboded to them nothing auspicious.  In this frame of mind they stationed the elephants in front of them as a protection.  Suddenly the Romans emitted a great, bloodcurdling shout, and smiting their spears against their shields advanced with determination and on a run against the elephants.  Thrown into a panic by the onset most of the beasts did not await the enemy’s approach, but turned to flee and receiving frequent wounds wrought