Chapter 37‘Did you hear that?’ said Aeneas. ‘A loud bang, not too far off.’
Mnestheos shook his head, and Aeneas decided to pay it no mind.
They pressed on. As the city swam into view, they found they were no longer alone on the path. Country folk joined them, men and women with friendly, sunburned faces beneath straw hats. Aeneas guessed they were heading into town to spend a few coins. Their skin was perhaps a shade darker than others of the Middle Sea, and they conversed so rapidly with one another that he had trouble telling one word from another. He just recognised their language as Phoenician. Still, they were pleasant enough, waving cheerfully and trying to engage them in conversation. Foreigners weren’t unwelcome in these parts. The company of shepherds made a nice change, even i
