The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-04-12
NUMBER 10.

lantern his young masDer 10 thrusting tho
the slaves toward the light; tho ends have
caught hre in q dull degree, with some smoke
accompanying the flame. He turns quickly
away from the freedman, and holding the
slaves still in his left hand, and little away,
| he approaches the horse; now he stands with
his feet close together. Oh! he has sprung
clean from the ground he 10 in his seat. He
has seized tho bride in his right hand, and
| carried it to his mouth; he takes 1t between hia
teeth. He is now relieving his left hand OF
one of those torches /; he holds one in each
hand, somewhat away from the body, nearly
horizontal. The cavasson-holders, at o dis-
lance are removing the muszle, and the rider
sends his feet firmly, yet think not very far,
through those rests which the illustrious
| Cneus Piso mentioned, those stapeda of hide,
the like of which never saw before. I won
der they are not always used"
what of the horse IL ho motionless7"
| "Not less than o statue" replied the
slave; " excepting the eyes and nostriis,
which last exhibit o tremu1o1s movement, and
show scarlet, like hollow leaves or thin shells
on FIRE. The brute's conoave head, from tho
scarlet nostril to tho lurid eye, looks wicked
and dire"
GLOW looks the riderf'
"Calm and heedful; the slight occasional,
breath of air from the east carries away to che
front the slow fame, blent with little smoke
of those torches which he holds one in each
hand"
"what can they be fort"
."I know not" replied Claudius. -
"I suppose they are intended" said the
child, "to compel the Sejan horse to keep his
head straight. Thus your volunteer-substituts
need not fear the beasts teeth. The issue
seems then to be reduced to trial Of sheer
horsemaushp.
"And in such a trial. most honored sir,'s
replied tho slave, az begin to have hopes.
You should SEQ the youth. Tho leading-reins
are now loose. The muzzle is spatched away,
and the contest has begun. Surely it seems
one between o wild beast and demigod."
els he thrown 7"
"No; yes; so kelp me, he is off, but is off
standing"
explain proceed-I tell you, proceedp
"The horse, after q series of violent plunges
suddenly reared till he had nearly gained
perpendicular position upon his hind-legs, the
fore-feet paving the air. The rider, who
seemed to be as little liable to fall as though
he had been part of the animal, then quickly
passed his right foot out of the far stapedd, and
dropping the bride from his teeth, slipped
the crash with which tho fore-paws have come
down The steed seemed to be very near fall
ing backward, but after q struggle of two or
three seconds, recovered himself; the centre
of his weight had not been carried rearward Of
the vertical line; and, o ye gods just as You
heard that ponderous thud with which he
descended upon his fore-feet, the youth darted
from the ground with spring like his frat,
and he is now on the brute's back as before.
He stoops to the horses neck; he has caught
the bride in his teeth, and lifts that brave,
clear face again. Listen to the multitudei
Obi how the eage, eags, thuuders from hum
dred thousand sympathetic voicesw
Alb my sight" cried the child CSliguIa.
"Hal ha p continued Claudius, transported
out of himself, "I shall get my liberty t0-dayl
Nor will my benefactor be injured. Hat Ha
The fell beast of horse seems astonished.
How he writbes his back, cnrviDg it like some
catamOunt. And 10 how he leaps
from tue ground with all four feet at the same
time! never-saw the like, except In animals
Of the ceryine tribe. Hal hal leap awayI
Yes, stoop that EerociOus-lookiDg head, and
shake it; and lash ont with your deAth-deAl
Dg hoofs. Your master 10 upon you, in his
chair of power, and you'll shake your head OF
,efcre You diSlodEe him from IL. II 10 not
With the poor literary slave Clsudius thatyou
nave to deal Oh what q paroxysm OF
Dlunges. was frightened for you, thens
brave yOung knight; but there Jon sit yet,
calm and clear-faced. If was frightened for
you, you are not frightened for yOurselfH
"Ohi for q few minated sightp said the
child. "Has not tho horse tried to twist his
head round, and 50 to bring his teeth ihte
play y