The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-07


speaks shall fight himself-now silence,
fools, and let the fight commence.
At these words, Majssticus, the prisoner,
started from his revery, His whole frame,
which before had appeared so calm, was
distorted with rage fire flashed from
his hitherto dull black eye--turning to the
exclaimed, ,"Romans and friends!
listen while tell you the cause of this;
have ye daughters! | had one and | loved
her, but the tyrant--"
"Attack him, Sextns % excloimed the
Gladiator, fearing some sudden disclosure.
Scarcely had the command been given
when the hireling slave, already tired OF
the long delay, rushed with an impetuous
attacked upon his unPracticed opponent
The shock thoug5 unexpected was received
by the victim in manner worthy Of a more
experienced swordsman; at the same time
recovering, he inflicted upon the neck Of
the slave wound which caused him to
stagger streaming with blood, across the
arena. Loud shouts of applause now rent
the theatre, and the Goth, astonished at his
own success, followed up his advantage and
repeating his blow, brought the Roman to
his knee. All were now on the tp-toe Of
expectation--loud cries Of "Slay the will
ian," now burst from the seats, and the
sword of the prisoner was raised high above
the head of his enemy,to pc rfOrm the wish
of the people! Silence deep and dealh-like
now pervaded the whole assembly: the fall
en- Gladiator stared his conqueror in the
face with sullen malignity; the emperor,
pale as corpse, his eyes starting out of
their sockets looked down upon the pair un-
able to open his quivering liPs--he gasped
as if the last hope was severed.
"By heaven p at last he exclaimed to
SeneOn-"byheaven he shall not die
bafiled-not doue--slain by an ignoble
Goth. BY Mars it is too bad,' and in
order to arrest the attention of Majestcus,
and save his favorte in loud voice exclaim
ed, "What, no! Majesticus"
At the mention Of his name, the Goth
suddenly turned towards the speaker, when
the agile Sextus sprang 10 his feet,and with
renewed vigor continued the combat with
so much dexterity as 10 gain the advantage
in a few passes, for the Goth not expecting
such movement, now acted entirely on
the defensive. The emperor SMILED mali
cieusly as he perceived the affect of his ar
tiice. The skill OF the Gladiator was now
brought to bear, and the inequality Of the
combatanls was clearly perceivable, fof the
strokes Of Majeslicus waxed fainter and
fainter at every blow of his antagonist, who
emboldened by his success, and confident of
victory, directed his blows with more skill
and certainty.
"Cursed treachery - cried the Goth, as
covered with wounds and streaming with
blood, he nerved his arm to the utmost, and
summOning his remaining strength, he aim
ed one desperate blow at the breast of his
opponent. who, skilfully avoiding the pass,
at the snme time he plunged his weapon,
Senue CapuiO, into the heart of his victim!
The tumull in the gallery increased. The
emperor prepared hastily to depart
shrek, loud and heart-rendng, now burst
upon the ears OF the spectators! and a fe-
male appearing at the entrance oil the arena,
proclaimed at ence the cause of the dislur- |
bance. She was beautiful in the extreme
pale and marbled like, she stood like
statue regarding the Gladiators. Her dress
was Of spotleSs while-simpe, but arranged .
with u taste Of extreme neatness, and her
ct black hair hung in loose fasloOns nearly
iOwn to her very feet. At last, recovering
rom her Petrifaction, shs rushed between
he combatants just as Sextus had wiin-
lrawn bis fatal weapon, who aiming to re-
oeat his blow. to make death more GER
ain, dyed his blade again in The blood of
innocence!
murmurei the dying GIRL as the
ed blood stained her spotless garments
a