Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-07-09
upon Silas his ferocious ewes. be-

Presently one OF the keepers threw him
a manakin stuffed with straw, in resem-
blance OF mar. The bull instantly hurled
il down, and trampled il under teet; but,
at the moment when his rage was at its
height, javelin came whizzing from the
hand Of Slas and imbedded itself in his
flank. The bull gave forth roar of pain,
and instantly abandoning the fictitious enc.
my for his real adversary, advanced rapid
ly towards the Syrian, his head down and
tracing on the sand a furrow OF blood but
Sias quietly suffered him TO come on,
when, having made a few steps toward
him, he managed, by the aid of his voice
aud knees, TO effect spring from the side
OF his nimble sleed, and whilst the bull was
hurrying on his course, second iavelin
went to hide itself full six inches in his
flank. The animal stopped, trembling as
if about to fall but instantly recovering
rushed upon the horse and cavalier but
the horse and his rider fled before him as if
borne BY whirlwind.
They thus went twice round the amphi-
theatre, the bull becoming weaker at each
time and losing ground with the horse and
cavalier. Finally, at thh third round, he
fell to his knees, but Immediately raising
himself, he uttered terrible roar, and, as
it he had lost all hope of overaking Silas,
he stared all around him TO see if he could
not find another victim on whom to vent
his rage. Ii was then he discovered Actee.
He seemed for a momen! TO doubt whether
she was an animated being, such was her
immobil'y and pallor, giving the appear
ance of statue but very soon stretching
out his neck and nose, he snuffed the air
which came from her place of confinement.
Instantly gathering strength he rushed d.
rectly at her. The maiden saw him com.
ing, and shrieked with horror but Silas
was watching over her. 1t was now his
turn to rush upon the bull, which made for
fight; but, by few leaps Of the faithful
Numidan, he was quickly overtaken. ST.
las sprang from The back oil his horse 10
that of the bull, and while with his left
arm he seized him by one horn and twisted
his neck, with the right hand he plunged
! his-sword to the hilt in his throat. The
bull, thus slaughtered, fell expiring at half
lance's length from Actee but she had
closed her eyes awaiting death. The ap-
plauses of the circus alone apprised her of
the victory of S!las.
Three slaves now entered the circus,
two conducting each horse, which they
hitched 10 the bull for the purpose OF drag
ging him out of the amphitheatre the
third bearing cup and amphora. He FL
led the cup, and presented it to the young
Syrian, which he barely slipped, but de-
manded other arms. They brought him a
bow, arrows snd spear. He made all haste
to sally forth, for beneath the throne which
the Emperor had left void, a CRATE wa;
lifted, and lion OF Atlas, coming forth
from his lair, majestically entered the
circus.
He is truly the King OF Beasts, for wher
with a roar he saluted the day, all ths
spectators trembled and the courser him
self, mistrusting for the first time the MIN
bleness of his feet, answered with neigh
Of alright. S,las alone was habituatel I,
this powerful voice; for, having more thar
cnce heard it resounding through the deser
which extended from Lake Asphaltus Il
the source of the Noise, he prepared him
self for attack or defence. while shelterlns
behind q post very near that TO which Ac
/ tee was bound, and made ready the bes
and keenest of his arrows. During thi
! time, his noble and pusant enemy slowl,
and confidently advanced, showing tn
wrinkles Of his broad face, and sweeping
| the sand with his tail.
The keepers lanced him, TO arouse him
: By darts mutiled with streamers OF diheyen
colors but he, impossible and grave, con
S tinued 10 advance, not disquieiting hmsel
with these contrivances-whcn suddenly
! amid the offensive wands, sharp and hi:
= sing arrow sped like lighteing 10 bury tsel
. in one of his shoulders. He suddenly STOP
e ped with more astonishment than pain
. and, as he could not comprehend that
n human being would have the hardihood
attack him, he yet doubted concerning hi
: wound; but soon his glaring eyes guesse
2 il his Jaws opened roar, heavy an
d prolonged, like the rumbling of thunde
e escaped as out OF cavern from the dept
OF his breast. He seized the arrow fxe
Il in The wound, and crushed it betwee
o his teeth, casting around him look whicI
e despite the grating that protected ther
: caused the spectators to recoil. He soug
e for an object on which his royal ras
k might fall. AT this moment he perceiy'
n the courser, trembling as il he were stan
is ing on ice though he was covered wi
IL sweat and foam ceasing to roar, but Y
d tering short cry, sharp and reiterated,
made bound which brought him with
= twenty PAGES of this the first victim Of !
: choice.
I'd Now commenced second course, mo
il wonderful even then the first, for there
r not much of science itself in man to m
a the instinct OF animals. Force and sui
he ness we've promptly put forth in all the
I'd savage energy, and the eyes OF two hu
IN dred thousand spectators were turned Tor
I'd time from the two Christians to folk
be round the amphiiheatre this fantastic cha
n the more agreeable TO the crowd than
ng was the less expected. A second le
brought the lioa to the horse, which crout
ed ing at the back part Of the circus, co,
"a, flee neither to the right nor TO the left.
ITO He sprang over the head of his enen
NO whom he had set himself 10 pursue W
BIT, unequal bounds, bristllng his hair and
nd tering from time to time sharp growlir
bis which the fugitive answered by neigh