The native American., 1838-04-07
From the Ne,o Pork Daily Wing.
MATERNUS, THE ROMAN BANDIT.
A S X f T c II /.

ed himself chief OF band OF outlaws ana rODDerS,
whom he had collected among the numerous fugi-
tives that pervaded the provinces. The rich cities
of Gaul and Spain he plundered with impunity-
and in the midst of his ravages, he induced the
slaves to Join him, by offering them the nestima
BILE boon of freedom. He set open the prison
doors also and gave the convicts liberty upon con
dition that they would Join his standard agains
the corrupt minions of Roman tyrant. With
this army he had collected together the riches of
prince, and his career seemed to bid defiance to the
provincial governors, who were either pOwerless
beneath his sway, or partners and abettors to his
crime.
He lay encamped on the eastern frontier OF
Gaul, in large open plain, and had himself re-
tired to the inermost recesses of his tent. Ihere
he reclined on his pallet, and gave himself up 10
deep musings and reflections on the vclssltudes OIL
fortune. He recalled to mind the many scenes OF
violence and bloodshed he had witnessed IN the
midst of the rank steam and hot belching of the
imperial city. He remembered the horrid massa-
ere of senator's and mobiles that fatal morn
which succeeded the night in which the tyrant
turned aside the assassns knife. and triumphed
over an arm nerved with the virtuous impulse of
the first Brutus He thought upon the butcheries
of the ampitheatre; the blood stained arena, smo-
king with the gore of dying gladiators, and reek-
ing up to heaven like grateful sacrifice. He re-
collected the fall of his only brother by an arrow
from the royal murderer, who, to add to the sports
of the ring, let fly a wanton shaft among the
spectators. AS it quivered in his heart he fell
dead into his arms, amid the loud laugh of brutal
populace. He shouldered the warm corse, and
staggered home with the burthen, and there sat
watching the body in moody loneliness, waiting
the return of his only sister Marcia, whose unac-
countable absence and prolonged stay added much
to his painful solicitude
1t was past midnight, and yet she came not.
and he was still by the side of his murdered
brother-murdered in sport! Gods, what al
thought! At length, as morning drew nigh, he
heard a faint rustling of robe, and hand feeling
for the latch of the door with nervous excitement
He turned, and his sister entered, wild and dsor-
dered, exclaiming, ''Lost lost all is lost''
She was about sixteen years Of age, with fea-
tures more of the Grecian mould than Roman
AS she entered, her golden locks streamed over
her ears, and fell down on her back, disclosing a
high transparentbrow, as deadly pale sculptured
marble; the tears streamed down from her large
hazle eyes, like melted diamonds beneath which
the finger Of grief had drawn dark streak, that
gave to her lovely face the melancholy shade of|
despair. She wrung her hands with emotions of|
bitter anguish, and prayed for death to release her
from the knowledge Of her shame.
At that instant, her eyes rested on the corse of|
her brother, and she raised her finger towards
him. as if she would inquire the means of such
sight, and stood motionless in silence Her
features gradually relaxed from their expression,
and settled into stony calmness-the hand drop
ped careless at her side, and she burst into an idiot
laugh, and sank down on the floor. Soon she
sprang upon her feet, and bounded through the
door, and vanished from his sight, and probably
died ravlng maniac, as he never heard from her
more.
Scarcely had she departed, when friend of
Maternus entered, and informed him that his sis
ter had been seized by pander of the tyrant and
dragged through secret avenue into the imperial
chambers Of the palace. The horrible trutb
flashed upon his mind that the arch tvran had
added violation to murder, and he beheld himself
the only survivor of his family, for the father and
mother had perished six months before in their
endeavors to preserve their child from the imne
rial grasp. She had now fallen, and he was
alone
AS he pondered over these things he felt the
raging fires OF deep smothered vengeance kindlng
afresh, and bursting forth from the dark caverns
of his soul His broad chest began to heave Ike
an undulating sea, his hand instinctvcly prasned
the hllt OF his dagger, and his eyes flashed LIVING
hre-ms cheeks seemed to swell with the aboring
impulse OF his painting Sides while the full round
veins rose up and laced his blazing brow like blue
uelhs work on globe Of fire.
lis not the time at hand" he muttered 40 be
rose upon his feet and stood in majesty ike ;.
distended lion at bay. AS he stood drawn nm in
this fearful attitude, one of his favorite followers
entered the tent, and informed him that he had
learned from the spies whom he had sent ont.
that they were encompassed on every side with the
Roman legions; that it was impossible to fy. and
further, that the provincial governors had made a
hasty levy of citizens, who were already on the
march to join the imperial standard
. cannot die yet" said the intrepid Maternus.
as he turned and gazed on the favorite with a
wild stare. Summon the council-there is no
time to be lost-we must strike a blow at The
head of the eternal city!'
AS soon as the council was convened. he nro-
posed-as there was no hopes of success in
standing on the defensive-that the army sbouJd
Immediately break up and separate into small
parties, and under various DISCUSSES penetrate the
most secret passes of the Alps, and meet at Rome
on the evening Of the festival of Cvbele benea,h
the temple of Jupiter. This measure w,s us'in' ~
stantly agreed upon by all present, excent Verns
who suggested that they lay down their arms NUS .
the feet of the Roman general, and submit 10 tho
mercy of the senate, as it was in vain to contend
further. When Maternus heard from the I;ns -