The mountain Democrat., 1863-04-18
Jewish Courage.

After his great victory, Trojan ordered
grand gladiatorial show. Many thous.
ands Of gladiators were to be exhibited
among whom was young Jew named
Elehzar.
He was a slave, and had been condemn.
ed to death for some imaginary crime, but
his life was spared on account of his ma.
jestic height and the perfection of his
form.
He was taken from the prison after the
above named victory, where, if he killed
against which he was to fight, his slavery
was to be manumitted, and his crime for.
given. I
The fern Of the amphitheatre was OF
the usual elliptical shape; the arena, COW
cred with sand to prevent slipping and to
absorb the blood, was entirely surrounded
with seats. 1t was surrounded by a wall
eighteen feet high, in order to render the
spectators entirely free from the attacks Of
wild beasts the top of the building was
covered entirely over by purple silk, sus-
tained by golden and silken knots. The
sun shone brightly, and shining through
the fragile roof, cast brilliant shadows on
the faces Of the assembled multitude, and
on the dresses of the ladies who occupied
the highest part Of the building.
Tens Of thousands of spectators had
assembled and were seated around the
arena, whilst vast number were rowing
about, here and there, and talking in low
and indistinct tone, which sounded like
the distant roaring of the sea.
Soon all eyes were opened with expec-
tation on the arrival of the tiger.
I At the farthest extremity of the arena
lay Elcnzar in seeming sleep, and inditfer-
ent to all that passed around him. But at
the shouts of the spectators he slowly
raised himself, stretched his limbs, yawn-
ed and looked about him to see the cause
of so much agitation.
A hungry tiger was brough: in, which
leaped in anger from one side Of his cage
to another, roaring and in expectation of
his prey. His red and smoking tongue
hung out, and he CRASHED his teeth with
rage.
Eleazar lay down again, shut his eyes
after casting a contemptuous glance in
different directions, aud seemed to dispose
himself so that be would have a comforta-
BILE sleep.
However, the audience became impa-
tien,, and angrily asked when the sport
should begin. ct"
At last the cage door was opened and
the tiger, with painting sides, rushed for
ward. The excitement rose to the high
est pitch, and all eyes were turned on the
young Jew, who still seemed to be in a
quiet slumber. The tiger stood, with
raised head and glaring eyes, looking
around seemingly unconscious Of the gla-
diator's presence. The au .ience still con-
tinued to shout, and the keeper of the
arena. in obedience to repeated commands,
approached the sleeping gladiator, and
plunged a spike into his arm to awake
him.
Eleazar no sooner felt this than he start,
/ ed up, seized the spike and wrested it
from the keepers hands, and foaming with
anger, broke off the wooden handle, that
he hurled at the keepers head, and kept
the iron part in his hand.
As he rose the spectators could see the
full height of his colossal figure and the
beautiful development of his muscle, and
an Involuntary shout Of admiration broke
from the audience, which was repeated
over and over again. All were perfectly
satisfied tat the savage tiger and the op-
pressed Jew were equal to each other -
1t would be desperate affair; the blood
Of both would be shed plentifully, and
probably the enlightened multitude as.
sembled would have the pleasure of seeing
both die
Women were there, attired beautifully
and wearing costly jewels; young children
and wise, gray-haired old men, and all
| these waiting for the denouement of this
tragedy! All with stretched necks and
eager eyes!
During this time the young gladiator
had remained in one position, his arms
folded and his head bowed down on his
breast. He was detected and respondent,
for he did not know if he should ever come
out of the arena alive. He prayed to that
God who has ever watched over Israel,
and his heart became more firm. He was
walked from his reverie by the shouts Of
the multitude, who cried out
"Take away the arms from the Jew.
Let the Jew fight the beast without any
arms whatever"
The young man looked contemptuously
about him, and advanced slowly toward
the furious tiger. But the shouts in
creased
"The Jews arms. Take them away"
This time Eleazar rushed forward, broke
the blade in two pieces. and threw the
fragments at the tiger, which was sharp
ening its claws against the pedestal of a
column.
The animal, feeling itself struck, turned
angrily around in search of the foe, whom
it no sooner saw, than, with leap and a
howl, it sprung towards him. The glGdi-
ator avoided him by bowling down, and
the tiger sprung over him without doing
further harm The animal no sooner
reached the ground than, with a growl, il
retired backwards few PAGES preparatory
to new leap.
Three times was the tiger deceived by
the same man9uvre. As if determined
no longer to be deceived, it advanced at a
slow space, with flashing eyes, erect tail,
bloody tongue, and gnashing teeth, and
was about to seize the gladiator, who, to
avoid him, leaped nimbly over his back
to the aStonishment of the multitude, who
gave vent to their enthusiasm by means
of deaiening applause.
After having thus for long time weak
encd his adversary, the young Jew, who
was also extremely weak, but was upheld
by the encouragement of the audience
determining to bring matters to crisis
remained immovable. The tiger seeing
him thus, ran towards him with fierce
cry.
A cry of joy, or perhaps horror, came
almost simultaneously from the audience