The weekly Butte record., 1863-04-04
Jewish Courage.

After bis great victory, Trojan ordered a
grand gladiatorial show. Macy thousands Of
gladiators were TO be exhibited, among whom
was Young Jew named EleazAr. He was q
slave, and had been condemned 10 death for
some imaginary crime, but his lie was spared
On account OF his majestic height and the per
fection of his form. He was taken from his
prison after the above-named victory, where II
be killed the tiger against which he was 10 fight,
his slavery was to be manumitted, and his
crime forgiven.
The form Of the amphitheatre was of the
usual ellipiical shape; the arena, covered with
sand to prevent slipping aud 20 absorb the
blood. was entirely surrounded with seats. 1t
was surrounded by 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. sustained 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 Assem-
bled and were seated around the arena, whilst
a vast number were rowing about, here aad
there, and talking in a low aud indistinct tone,
which sounded like the distant roaring of the
sea.
Soon all eyes were opened with expectation
on the arrival of the tiger.
At the farthest extremity Of the arena lay
Eeazar in seeming sleep, and Indifferent to all
that passed around him. But at the shouts Of
the spectators he slowly raised himself stretch
ed his limbs, yawned and looked about him to
see the cause Of so much agitation. \ hungry
tiger was brought in, which leaped in anger
from one side of his cage to another, roaring
and in expectation Of his prey. His red aad
smoking tongue hung out, and he gnashed his
teeth with rage. Eleazar lay down again. shut
his eyes after casting contemptuous glance
around him, and seemed to dispose himself SO
that he would have comfortable sleep.
However, the audience became impatient
aud angriy asked when the sport should begin.
At last the cage door was opened and the tiger,
with painting sides, rushed forward The ex-
citement rose to the highest pitch, and all eyes
were turned on the young Jew, who still SEEM
ed to be in quiet slumber. The tiger stood,
with raised head and garing eyes looking
around seemingly unconscious of the gladia
tors presence. The audience still continued to
shout and the keeper of the arena, in obedi-
ence to repeated commands. approached the
sleeping gladiator, plunged spike into his arm
to awake him. Eleazar no sooner felt this than
he started up, seized the spike and wrested it
from the keepers hands, and loaming with
anger, broke of the wooden handle, which he
hurled at the keepers head, aud kept the iron
part in bis hand.
As he rose the spectators could see the full
height of his colossal figure and the beautiful
shout of admiration broke from the audience,
which was repeated over and over again. All
were perfectly satisfied that the savage tiger
and the oppressed Jew were equal to each
other 1t would be desperate affair, the blood
of both would be shed pentifully, and proba
bly, the enlightened multitude assembled 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
denouenem of this tragedy. All with stretched
necks and eager eyes. Daring this time the
young gladiator had remained in one position.
his arms folded aud his head bowed down Oh
his breast. He was detected and despondent
for be 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 os the multitude, who
cried out
aAG away tuS iu> nun Tue cSN l>Gt
the Jew fight the beast without any arms
whatever"
The young man looked contemporary about
him, and advanced slowly towards the tiger.
But the shouts increased
The Jews arms Take them away"
This time Eleazar rushed forward, broke the
blake in two pieces, and threw the fragments
at the tiger, which was sharpening 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 howl, il
sprung towards him. The gladiator avoided
him By bowing down, and the tiger sprung
over him without doing further harm. The
animal no sooner reached the ground than.
with growl, it retired backwards few pa
ces preparatory to a new leap.
Three times was the tiger deceived by the