trained and hostile armies, and were forced to retreat. Once the whole army had crossed, including the elephants on gigantic rafts, Hannibal left about 500 Numidian horsemen at the Rhone to keep an eye on the Roman army, led by Publius Scipio, that had been following them.
The Numidians encountered a detachment of the Roman calvary which had been assigned to scout out Hannibal's passage. In the ensuing battle, the Numidians were defeated. That detachment of the Roman calvary had been sent by Publius Scipio, who was encamped at the mouth of the Rhone, to get information about Hannibal's army.
After crossing the Rhone Hannibal received a deputation of Gallic chiefs led by Magil, a King of the Boii. They had come over the Alps from Italy to welcome the Carthaginians in their fight against the Romans.
This successful crossing of the Rhone did not end the uneasiness of the men. Those who had climbed the taller trees reported that far ahead in the East, the hills rose to foreboding summits. Then Hannibal addressed his followers and compelled them to think of realities instead of fears:
