River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-09-12


( the chase except as a spectator. His
features, classic in outline, with the
| characteristic straight brOws and nose
of the Greeks, contrasted strangely
with his luxurious Persian dress. His
eyes were piercingly black and
shrewd, and his full lips smiled iron
ically Beside him, standing forward
in the chariot, was young man in the
| first flower of youth. He was driy-
| ing. No novice he seemed, although
/ his handsome face was too finely
modelled for n Babylonian. The
straight nose and delicately curved
| lips proclaimed him of different
race. He was evidently one of the
well-born, captive Jews, resident of
Babylon. His scarlet dress indicated
| that he was in service at the palace.
They were going at rapid pace,
the king and Amytis keeping just
ahead of Arrion and Themistocles.
As they reached a broad bend in the
stream where the hard road-bed
widened suddenly, the chariots came
abreast Anytis hailed them as they
drew beside her and laying the lash
of her whip over her quivering horses,
she called a challenge to the king and
to Arrion.
Easter, faster!" her voice rang
out like a silver horn note above the
rushing of the chariot wheels.
Easter, faster, else we reach not
Acadou ere the moon rise"
The beaters meanwhile scattered in
all directions in the thick jungles to
rouse the lions and drive them into
the open.
Suddenly there rose murmer like
a sigh, prolonged and melancholy. 1t
seemed at first like the night breeze
| among the branches, but it broke off
short with descending scale. Then
it was repeated louder and louder,
| five or six times.
"At last" cried Arrion, starting to
his feet, "the lion!"
Wait" answered ArtaXerxes, wait,
| he may not be alone"
Arion grasped Themistocles' hand in
uncomfortable excitement, while
Amytis leaped to the side of her broth
err where he stood without, in the
broad flood of moonlight. A savage
| joy lit up their two faces.
"Ah!" cried the king with delight,
"they go to water, and, bark, how
manyl We shall have merry sport to-
night"
The cries of the beaters grew louder
and the thunderous refrain had ceased
There was noise of crushing reeds;
then suddenly a splendid lion dashed
from the jungle. He paused as he
came into the flooding moonlight. His
yellow name swept the ground, and as
he caught sight of his enemies he
growled with a hoarse, coughing
sound, reluctant, menacing.
Away! away" cried the king.
'Alegabysus, wilt thou mount with
me? Alorus, go thou with Amytis,
and see that thou protectest her"
The three chariots dashed at full
speed toward the lion. Arrion and
Themistocles came close behind. The
chariots were fully equipped for the
chase. At each huntsman's side the
! culver filed with arrows was near to
his hand, and at the back long spear
was fixed in it's socket ready to
! parry an attack from behind. Ar
taxerxes was ahead. His guard knew
better than to attempt to attack
the prey before the monarch. The
/ trained horses were as eager for the
fight as were their masters. They
| dashed ahead without sign of fear,
each muscle straining to its utmost
speed, until they came within so yards
Of the crouching lion. Then with a
cruel tug at the reins ArtaXerXes
threw them back upon their launches,
tossed the reins to Megabysus and
set an arrow to his bow. Suddenly the
lion leaped to his feet and with long,
catlikc bounds advanced to the attack.
The quiyering horses neighed with
excitement. ArtaXerXes raised his
bow, and for an instant stood, silent
and immobile as a statue. Then he
let fly. The arrow sped straight to
the lions heart A shout arose from
the guard. Once more the king
was foremost in the sport. The
chariots of Amytis and Arrion drew
alongside. They had not long to wait
for three more lions emerged together
from the thicket and dashed towards
them. Artaxerxes stood motionless
in his chariot awaiting this approach
He had cast aside his bow and with
careless courage stood until the lions
were close upon him.
THE king is rash tonight" wits
pered Arrion to Themistocles, "an6
that lucky arrow has but made hin
holder. He waits too long"
This time the lion who was nearest
to the king came from the left anC
with roar which rumbled through
the air like thunder swerved suddenly
and leaped upon the back of tn,
chariot. The king turned with infnit,
GOODNESS to strike the foaming beast
when Megabysus, who was nearest ant
panic-stricken for the king, plunged
his dagger into the lions throat. Ar
taxerxes' eyes blazed fire.
How darest thou?" he cried, "'twai
minel BY all the gods, this shall cos
| 4bn, laorn