Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-09-05

or 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 a young man in the
first flower of youth. He was driv-
ing. No novice he seemed, although
his handsome face was too finely
modelled for a Babylonian. The
straight o and delicate2y curved
lips proclaimed him of a 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.
The clear brown eyes were bright
with youth but like an eagles their
glance was fierce and free. His thick
and floating hair was powdered with
golddust and the young throat en-
circled about with a collar of emer-
aids N rubies was round and firm as
unplucked fruit. As he stood poised
in the rolling chariot his attitude was
instinct with vitality and unconscious
grace.
They were going at a 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. Amytis 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, f~aster." 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 noon rise"
The heaters meanwhile scattered in
all directions in the thick jungles to
rouse the lions and drive them into
the open.
Suddenly there rose a murmer like
a sigh, prolonged and melancholy. 1t
seemed at first like the night breeze
among the branches, but it broke off
short with a 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, swat,
he may not be alone"
There was an instant more OF 81
lence, and then there came a reply,
distant it seemed but growing more
and more distinct, and then another
and yet another, taking up the sound,
like the deep pipes in an organ n
swering in a fugue. And the sound
grew and increased until it became a
mighty continuous roll, rythmical, al
most musical; with recurring eli
makes of sound which declined again
into prolonged signs, ceasing on the
night with a singular and almost hu-
man melancholy.
Arion grasped Themistocles' hand in
uncomfortable excitement, while
Amytis leaped to the side of her broth
Ell 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
manyi We shall nave merry sport to-
night
The cries of the heaters grew loud
er and the thunderous refrain had
ceased.
There was a 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.
"Megabysus, wilt thou mount with
me? Alorus, go thou with Amytls,
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 a long spear
was fixed in its 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 a 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
an arrow to his bow. Suddenly the
lion leaped to his feet and with long,
bounds advanced to the attack.
The ~quivering 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
lions heart. a shout arose from
the guard. Once more the king
foremost in the sport. The
chariots of Amytis and -Arrion drew
They had not long to wait,
for three more lions emerged together
from the thicket and dashed towards
them. Artaxerxes stood m~otionless
his chariot awaiting this approach.
He had cast aside his bow and with
courage stood until the lions
we're close upon him.
'The king is rash tonight" whis-
oered Arrion to Themistocles, land
hat lucky arrow has put made him
He waits too long"
This time the lion who was nearest
the king came from the left and
With a roar which rumbled through
he air like thunder swerved suddenly
leaped upon the back of the