Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-07-09
Soon the ill.iated courser, fascinated, as

4 H
woman and gazelles are said TO be al The
sight Of serpents, fell down, struggled, and
rolled upon the sand in the agony of Ter
ror Al this moment second arrow LEFT
the bow of S;as, aud buried itself deep be-
tween the ribs OF the lion The lion lurn-
ed himself; this instant sufIiced the Syrian
to send his enemy third messenger OF
pain. The lion sprang apon the man, who
received him upon his spear. The man
and lion rolled together, and were seen 10
tear shreds Of flesh. Many of the specia-
tors were sprinkled with showers of blood
Actee uttered cry OF adeu to her Chris.
tlan brother. She no longer had deien-
der, but she no longer had an enemy. The
lion survived only long enough Tor ven-
geance the agony Of the cxecutoner
commenced when that of the victim ter
minated. As TO the horse, he lay dead,
without having been touched by the lion.
Now all eyes were directed to Actee,
whom the death of Sias had left defence
less. Some Of the spectators rose 10 demand
her merciful release, when the cry, "Sit
down, sit down." was heard, for at the
lower steps CRATE was raised, and III
gress crept into the arena.
Hardly escaped from her den she
crouched to the earth, looking round with
ferocity, but without inquietude or aston
ishment. Soon she snuffed the air, and be-
gan TO crawl like serpent towards the
place where the horse bad fallen; arrived
there, she reared against the CRATE, smell
ling and biting the bars which he touched,
roared immoderately, examining the iron,
the sand, and the air, for the absent prey.
Soon the emanations from the blood yet
warm and palpitaiing flesh reached her;
she marched straight toward the tree against
which had been enacted the combat be-
tween Sias and the lion, turning neither
to the right nor 10 the left, except to pick
up the shredS of flesh strewed oy the noble
animal who had preceded her in the cir
Gus. Al length she came 10 a pool of blooc
which the sand had not absorbed, and be.
gan to drink like thirsty dog, roaring and
raging in proportion as she drank. Wher
she had finished, she looked round afrest
with sparkling eyes, and this only till she
perceived Actee, who, bound to the tree,
and with closed eyes awaited death with
out daring 10 see il come.
Instantly The tigress crouched flat
creeping in a manner obliquely toward
her victim, but without losing sight Of her
When about ten PAGES from her, she rose
and with extended neck and widened nos
trils, inspired the air which came from III,
place; then, with one leap, clearing th
space that had separated the young Chris
ton, she fell at her feet and, when tn,
whole ahphithea're, in waiting to see he
torn to pieces, uttered cry Of terror, b.
which was evinced The entire ntcres
which the maiden had inspired in the spec
tators, who had prepared to clap thei
hands at her death, the tigress crouchet
gentle and fondling as gazelle, ulterin
faint cries Of joy, and licking the feet {
her former mistress AT these unexpecte
, caresses the astonished Actee opened he
eyes, and recognized Phoebe, the favorit
Nero. Instantly, the cry of "Mercy
, mercy" resounded through the whol
: place, for the multitude looked upon til
gratitude of the tigress as prodigy. Be
, sides, Actee had suffered three trials an,
, since she was saved, she was free. Tht
, the changed spirit OF the spectators Shove
/ one Of those transitions, SO natural 10
D mob, from the extreme of cruelty 10 th
extreme Of clemency.
? The young cavaliers threw down the
: chains Of gold, the young ladies their cha
t lets of flowers all rose upon the step
$ calling upon the slaves TO loose the victim
= An immense crowd was in expectation
e At sight Of her they burst into applause
? and were ready 10 carry her in triumph
but Actee suppliantly clasped her hand
l., and the people opened before her, leaviI
II free pas age. She hurried 10 the te nj
: Diana, sat down 5ehind one Of the pilla
If and remained weeping and in despair; (
,, she now regretted that she had not die
) beholding herself alone in the world.
If When night came, she recolected th
j. one family remained 10 her, and bent b
!, solitary way 10 the catacombs.