The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1890-03-14

ing the people. Ono man more especially,
for he was giant, and, being strong, was
insolent beyond measure, shifting the peo-
pie without cause, as, indeed, is the wont Of
low persons set in authority. For nigh to
me stood q woman. an Egyptian by her face,
bearing child in her arms, whom the man,
seeing that she was weak, struck on the
head with his rod so that she fell prone, and
the people murmured. But my blood
rushed Of a sudden through my veins at the
sight, and drowned my reason. In my
hand I held a staff of olive wood from
Cyprus, and as the black brute laughed at
the sight Of the stricken woman and her
babe rolling on the ground, swung the
staff aloft and smote. So shrewdly did
strike that the tough rod split upon the
giants shoulders and the blood spurted
forth, staining his trailing leaves of ivy.
Then, with a shrek of pain and fury-for
those who smite love not that they
be smitten-did he turn and spring
at mel And all the people round
gave back, save only the woman who
could not rise, leaving US twain in ring, as
it were. On he came with rush, and, as he
came, being now mad, l smote him with my
clenched fist between the eyes, having
staggered like an OK beneath the first blow
of the priests axe. Thereat the people
shouted, for they love to see fight, and the
man was known to them as gladiator vic
torious in the games. Gathering up his
strength, the knave came on with an oath,
and, whirling his heavy staff on high, struck
at me in such ashton that, had not by
nimbleness avC led the blow, had surely
been slain. But as it CHANGED, the staff hit
upon the ground, and SO heavily that it flew
in fragments. Thereon again the multitude
shouted, and the great man, blind with
fury, rushed at me to smite me down. But
with cry sprang straight at his throat
for he was so heavy a man that knew !
could not hope TO throw him by strength
ay, and gripped it There chung, though
his fists battered me like bludgeons, driving
my thumbs into his throat. Round and
round we turned, till ut length he flung him
self to the earth, trusting thus to shake me
off. But / held on fast as we rolled over
and over On the ground, till at last he grew
faint for want of breath. Then l, being up
permost, drave my knee down upon his
chest, and, as 1 believe, should thus have
slain him in my rage, had not my uncle and
others there gathered fallen upon me and
dragged me from him.
And meanwhile, though / knew it not,
the chariot wherein sat the Queen, with
elephants going before and lions led after
it, had come even to the spot, and because
of the tumult had been halted. looked up,
and thus torn, painting, my white garments
stained with the blood that had rushed
from the mouth and nostrils Of the mighty
Nubian, for the first time saw Cleopatra
face to face. Her chariot was all of gold,
and drawn by milk-white steeds. Therein
she sat with two fair girls, clad in Greek
attire, standing one on either side tanning
her with glittering fans. There she sat in
the splendid car. On her head was the COW
ering of Isis, the golden horns between
which rested the moons round disk and the
emblem of Osiris, throne. with the urauS