The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-12-12

new plots against my throne! say to thee
that thou, too. shalt come to visit Antony
In Cilicia, and there, pcrchancc, will let
thee go,. And ere could answer, she had
struck upon tho silver gong that hung nigh
TO where she was.
Ere its rich echo had died away there
ent cred from one door Charmion and the
waiting women. and from the other a file Of
guards-four Of them Of the Queens body
guard, mighty men, with winged helmets
and long, fair hair.
..Seizc that traitor.' cried Cleopatra,
pointing to me. The Captain Of the guard
it was Brennus -saluted and came toward
me with drawn sword.
But /. being mad and desperate, and little
caring il they slew me, few straight at his
throat, and dealt him such a heavy blow
that the great man fell hcadiong and his
arnor clasbed upon the marble floor. And
a. he fell seized his sword and target and,
meeting the next, who rushed on me with 3
shout. caught his blow upon the shield. and
in answer smote with all my strength.
The sword fell where the neck is set
into the shoulder and shcaring through the
joints OF his harness slew him, so that his
knees were loosened and he sank down
dead. And the third, as he came,
caught upon the point OF my
sword before he could strike, and it
pierced him and he died. Then the last
rushed on me With cry Of ''Taranis!' and
/, too. rushed on him, for my blood was
aHamc. And the women sbrieked, only
Cleopatra said naught, but stood and
watched the unequal fray. We met and
struck with ali my strength, and mighty
blo. it was, for the sword shore through
the iron shield and shattered there, leaving
me weaponless. With shout OF triumph
the guard swung mp his sword and smote
down upon my head, but with my shield
caught the blow. Again he smote, and again
parried; but when : third time he raised
his sword saw this might not endure, 80
with cry hurled nv bucklcr ut his face
0lancing from his shield ii struck him on
the breast and staggered him. Then, before
he could regain his balance, / rushed in bo-
tween his guard and gripped him round the
middle. For full minute the tall man and
1 struggled furiouslv, and then. 10 great
was my strength in those days, ! lifted him
like toy and dashed him down upon the
marble floor in such fashion that his bones
were shattered so that he spake no more
But could not save myself and fell upon
him, aud as l fell the Captain Brennus,
whom had smitten TO earth with my fist,
having once more found his sense came up
behind me and smotc me sore upon tho
head and shoulders with the sword Of one
Of those whom ! had slain. But being on
the ground the blow fell not with all its
weight. also my thick hair and broidered
cap broke its force; and thus it came TO pass
that, though sore wounded, the life was yet
whole in me. But no more could l struggle.
Then the cowardly ennuchs, who had gath
cred at the sound Of blows, and stood
huddled together like herd OF cattle, Sec
ing that was spent. threw themselves
upon me. and would have slain me with
their knives. But Brennus, now that was
down, would strike no more, but stood
waiting. And the cunuchs had surely
slain me, for Cleopatra stood like one who
watches in dream and made no sign. Al.
ready was my head dragged back and their
knife points ct my throat, when Charmion,
rushing forward. threw herself upon me.
and, calling them Dogs desperately
thrust her body before them in such .
fashion that smite they could not. Now
Brennus. with an oath, seized first one and
then another and cast them from me.
''Spare his life. Queen" he cried, in his
harbarous Latin. by Jupiter, he IL o
| brave man! Myself fellcd like an OK IN the
i S08uOleS, 0uu LuIce Oh my UCyS uNisneQ py
| man without armor, and taken unawares
grudgc them not to such man! A boon,
| Queen Spare his life, and give him to
me.'
Jay, spare him spare him. cried Char.
mion. white and trembling.
Cleopatra drew near and looked upon the
dead and him who lay dying as had
dashed him to the ground. and on me, her
lover Of two days gone, whose head rested
now on Charmion's white robes.
met the Queens glance. .'Spare not"
| l gasped; s.rR r!ctis" Then flush gath
cred on her brow, methinks it was . flush
Of shame.
"Dost love this man at heart, Char
mion,' she said, with little laugh, "tha,
thou thrustest thy tender body 'twixt him
and the knives OF these sexless houndsr
and she cast look OF scorn upon the
eunuchs.
| May answered the girl, tiercely. s'But
can not stand by TO sec q brave man muir
dered by such rs these.
"Ay.' said Cleopatra, '.hc is brave
man, and CALAMITY he fought: never have