Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-07-28
Written for the Evening Star.
x ! =: 81 s.
OR, THE THRACIAN WRESTLER
ICoSTINCED.
CHAPTER VI.
T HE CH A Sc .

Early on the morning following the
military games, the Roman army was on
the march. 1t is, perhaps, useless to
add, that Roman camp, although COM
posed of many thousands of tents, and a
vast amount of disposablcs, could always
be pitched i'll the space of a few hours,
and broken up in as many minutes The
first morning rays always found Ro-
man army on its march. Sevcrus was a
soldier, and knew full well the advantage
Of a few leagues march in the early part
of the day.
Already several leagues from their for
mcr camp, the legions, marching rapidly
over a wcll-constructcd military road, the
universal topic of the march was that of
the games and Of the victorious barbarian
on the day previous.
How brooks Macenius his defeat in
the games, yesterday" asked the Em-
peror of tl.--. ltn.nan-- capt ai.,-->f tI.O
horse guard, by whom he rode.
Il cannot say liked it well, my lord
| think he could not do so again." replied
MaCeniuS.
Thou art very safe in saying thus, "
said SevcruS, "for now thou art at least
five leagues away from thy victor.'
Macenius did not relish this remark of
Scyerus; yet he burst not reveal his feel
ings. 1t was Jest ill-suited to favor
good will from his master, for he possess
ed a sour and trcacherous spirit. Be-
sides, he felt for his lost prcstige-that
he never had been thrown in wrestling:
and this prompted bitter feelings towards
young Maximin. But he sinothercd all
resentment; not, however, to forget Sew
erus' words; for they stung him severely.
What ho"" shouted SeyerllS, turning
to look back upon the advancing hosts,
at sudden movement and hustle among
the troops. "What ho.' who breeds
this wild tumult among the troops, again
again shouted the Emperor. just then a
Pr;rtorian rode upto inform him what
the cause of the uproar was; when Maxim
in, the young barbarian peasant rushed to
the spot, unwearied from the chase.
s'How now, Thracian; wherefore art
thou among my legions -
Il have followed since the sun Shonc
over the Thracian hills. The army was
lcaSueS upon ltS llldICu eIc lllc CildSc
commenced"
The Emperor looked with astonishment
upon the huge built, though comcly-Eaced
barbarian.
Thracian," said he. .CanSt thon
now, after this long race, compete with
the Roman wrestlers 2"
[ will wrestlc with them, was Max
imin's quick reply; for he was eager for
new earned prizes.
Halt here the legions, then; and select
good Macenius, nine Of the stulrdicst
wreStlerS III all our host, the tenth shall
be thysclf. If this barbarian overthrow
even all the other nine, he will with that
be much tatigued, and thou canst then
the more easily redeem thy words, that
''he could not do so again to thee"
The army halted, and the nine wrestlers
from the legions were selected: while
SeveruS sat in his chariot to review the
fcats of the game.
First, AntideS, an athletic Roman, was
ovcrthrown with case, by the youth of
Thrace. Then Vintus, of patrician birth,
though stout lieutenant of the captain
ofthe horscguards with Macenius. Then,
in quick succession, were lain upon their
backs Metreus, Areseus, CivilluS, Nurtus,
Doradcs, Nelsus, and Herander: all fa-
nous for their strengthand skill in wrest-
ling; all of whom, too, had won prizes,
either in Rome; Britain, Africa, or in the
East.
'Come, good Macenius, | see it is re-
served for thee to beat this barbarous
Thracian; enter you now the lists" cried
the Emperor.
Macenius stepped forward, and Maxi
min recognized his antagonist of yester-
days trial in the arena.