Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-26
-THx~WEExLY-sTA1-
huge old Arthamus stood alone, his COM,

T-T|T- vi
huge old Arthamus stood alone, his CON-.
rades all having either fallen wounded or
sunkcn down with fatigue. Himself was
but slightly wounded in the arm. Even Il
he, weak and staggering, was assisted to
appear at the, feet OF, Severus, where he
fell down. .. If,-,, -.,5 II, o..,-f..
t.Arisc, brave Arthamus, and receive
thy rich reward. Thrice sir this day have
seen Thy undaunted. courage prove yic- J
torious in the arena 4 For this, the fourth,
henceforth art thou the bearer, beside me,
of my sword and shield, when / am en-
gagged in mighty wars. Arisen : n'2Hla
Arthamus arose, and tears of thankful
ness towards the emperor rolledldown his
old and rugged cheeks; for he had grown
greycin the legions, land had too long as
pired to bis present honor. lie raised his
eyes to Severus, and said, "I thank thee
Severus, my Emperor" and again sunk
down, and was carried to his tent d,iF
Next came in a troupe Of men, who
hurled huge stones-stones of Pondrous
size-such as men of these days, could
scarcely raise, were by them hurled high
in the air, and coming down seemed al
most to shake the earth; whilst others
drove them through the air farther than
the eve could reach OF this company,
award was given to Cletian.
Then came band of Roman Youths of
robust forms and rugged features, who
performed graceful military evolutions be-
fore Severus and the. people. amidst loud
applause and the satisfaction of the, En-
peTor, and to- them all be awarded the
title Of victors to flatter them: but to their
leader .he awarded a newly-tempered Ro-
man sword. ijbia9S-.' r6"F#f' 9-fsi D. 10 amu
With this the day was spent, and the
games closed until evening, when wreSt-
ling was to take place, ..,,.r &C.. =
'su'd 81 10 CHAPTER w. wal, ORG rad
/ .ia'I' o1 THE WRESTBERS. u .Gi sd
1 Brightly lighted was the Roman camp
on the evening set apart, after the mill.
tary games of the day.. Brilliantly look
ed that assembled mass of warriors and
barbaria1is the latter in rude and mixed
attire, the former in shining coats of mail
and crested helmets. Around, the royal
tent glared full five thousand perfumed
lights, and the studded carpet and shield
composed steps leading to the throne, cast
off an effulgence not easy of description. p.
Amid the trumpet's blast and an hun
dred thousand voices shouting aloud.
Severus again entered the vast encircIed
camp, and ascended the dazzling throne.
Waving his hand, he spake: l 'i 3, .ns>-
s'Romans and barbarians, we wait now
to behold your valor and your strength in
wrestling. He who wins most, receives
the greatest reward. Sound the trumpet,
and let the wrestlers advance !" -.,ff ...
During the games of the day, no bar
barian in all Thrace had ventured in the
contests; but now many hundreds rushed
forward, all eager TO excel before their
Emperor The Roman soldiers, too, in
great numbers, flew into the arena; and
all together made stout, bold, and rug
gcd band of wrcstlers. tad '' ~
First, each Roman soldier stroye with
a Thracian; and as one wrestler fell, he
left the arena, while the victor asked and
obtained award at Sererus' hand.
Among the band of wrestlers was one
Thracian peasant, ,-M Maximin, who in
size and height, exceeded any of all the
vast throng. Full seven feet was his
stature, and he looked like Hercules him
self. Twelve times had he already bowed
before the Emperor, the victor in the
game, and for these twelve Romans over
thrown, had he each time been awarded
by. Seyerus. His thirteenth antagonist
was bulky, stalwart Roman, and upon
this contest the eye of Severt1s rested GU
riously; for Macrinus was an acknowl-
edged wrestler from Ethiopia to the wall
of Antonius in the British island.
Full long, between Maximin and Mac
rinus did the wrestling wage, and as ca
gerly did the eyes of that vast throng
rest upon their powerful efforts: for by
this time many had fallen, and were led
away. At length Macrinus fell, and a
loud shout went up for the young barba-
rian, amidst which he approached the
feet of Severus again. ..r .r ,f. IN e..
"Bold barbc 'ian," said the Emperor,
"full well hast thou sustained thyself
this night Of what country art thou, and
what thy name; for surely [ behold no
Thracian with scarce more than half thy
huge proportions, here; speak. ,...
i am Thracian, and my name. is
Maximin. Now thirteen times have /
been victor over these Romans. "-u.r's.
Hero, take this rich necklace for
thou hastout-done a wrestler Of renoxn,
in yMacrius." ......-........--
NIaximin received the precious prize,
and fell again into the games nor did
he stop, until three score and five he laid
upon the earth, where none were left with
whom to contest. Then he again pre-
sented himself to the Emperor.
-' Thou art a sturdy fellow, Thracian,
and shouldst be in better service, than
plodding the dull soil of gardens; and