Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-08-02

struggling and fighting with each other to
get near that they might spit upon the pris-
oner, and now and then lashing Themselves
into fury so great that il was with difficulty
the soldiers could keep the mob from tear
ing her limb from limb. The slight frame
of the maiden now shook, perceptibly with
terror for though she had nerved herself TO
face the lions; her virgin deicacy shrank
from being made the victim of coarse and
british rabble.
In this manner her conductors struggled
through the streets, until in sight of the am
phitheatre. Here, at the corner of one of
the ways, they we're met by vast crowd
composed of the lowest mob Of the city, who
hearing the condemnation Of a Nazarene,
had gathered together ripe for Mischief
Led on by some of the vlest demagogues,
they had resolved to assault the officers in
charge of the prisoner, that they might sac
rfce her more summarily than by the lions
in the arena.
"Stand back |" said the captain of the
guard, unsheathiug his sword, as he saw
the threatening aspect of the crowd.
"Down with him p cried one of the rab
BILE, hurting a missile at his head. give US
the prisoner, or you die with her."
"Close in, men. close in" shouted the
officer, undauntedly. You pay with your
lives for the safety of the prisoner"
The little band gathered in a compact
circle round the maiden, and prepared to
maintain the unequal contest.
down with them all )" shouted one of
the most prominent of the rioters 'soldiers
and prisoner--they are all secretly Naza-
renes Down with them p'
With these words he headed rush Of the
crowd, that bore back the scanty band of
the soldiery like feathers that are swept by
the gale. Stones and bricks, meanwhile,
filled the air, and though the soldiers were
defended by shields, several were wounded.
The prisoner, in this onset, would have fall
len a victim to the missiles Of the mob, but
for two Of the more humane of the soldiery,
who covered her with their bucklers. Thus
pushed back by the rabble, the guards re-
treated against the wall of neighboring
house, and being now covered in the rear,
essayed with more hopes of success to make
good their stand until succor should arrive
from the city DICTIONARIES.
But the futility of this hope was soon ap-
parent. The mob swelled rapidly, extend
ing far down the thoroughfares on either
hand. The whole city seemed up. There
were doubtless among the crowd many who
were secretly favorable to the prisoner, and
a still greater who wished not to see her
perish except by a lawful death, but the
moro violent, If not more numerous. had
attained the more temporary ascendency,
and the others, uncertain of their power,
were afraid to move in her behalf.
More than half THE guard had now fallen !;
+ the others were worn ont and wounded
The soldiers began TO murmur.
"Why should we die to protect, for an
; hour or two, the life of Nazarene 2" cried
one of them. Comrades, let us surrender
her to the people"
A sullen murmur OF assent ran along the
scan,y ranks, and the mob, hearing the
mutinous words, desisted. and broke into
huzzas. The maiden saw that her hour
, had come, and sank shuddering to her
knees, lifting her agonized eyes to heaven
; in last appeal. Suddenly, over the deep
roar Of the huzzas, rose the trumpet OF
cavalry, and the pavement seemed to the
|, kneeling girl to rock beneath her, under the
tramp of many horsemen. She started to
her feet with sudden hope. The shouts OF
the populace had ceased simultaneously, and
now was heard, close at hand, the clatter oil
hoofs and the shril sound of the trumpet
,, Like flock of sheep awaiting the approach
of wolves, stood the late riotous mob now
silent with black faces, and standing agape
, AT the sudden apparition of the horsemen.-
Down they came, the solid earth shaking
under them; while far in the van, on
barbed horse, rode their leader.
i; "Disperse We knaves !" he cried, in tone
used to command, as he rose haughiily in
= his stirrups. "Disperse or we ride you
down" And turning to his troops, he
waved his sword and shouted,
"Chargel'
The word struck terror into the populace
For one instant they hesitated, but for one
: instant only. Up the long avenue, TO where
it turned to the left, they beheld the glitter
ing lines Of cavalry advancing at a gallop
: each file wheeling around continuously al
e if countless numbers yet remained behind
: and at the sight, the stouiest heart gave
d way. The cry 'Ay for your lives" rose on
: every hand, and, darling into the by-streels
r or rushing headlong down the main thor,
d oughlares, the mob dispersed with the
! rapidity of magic. BY the time the leader
: of the cavalry had come up, the street was
empty.
e Throwing his proud steed back on hi:
d launches as he reached the guard, the com
mander of the cohot addressed his brother
e officer,
y 1--WE we're Just in time, see heart
It on landing, that there was riot in the city
o and galloped at once thither. We are to
e day come from Italy; and bring importan
/ news.-Diocletian is dead, and the perse
i cutions against the Christians are 10 b.
Is slnhnad IL Is well TINT we came In as u,