The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-23
bat he might get off easily if de-

that he might get off easily if de-
featcd
The show passed off mucn like other
shows One animal fight which was
wholly novel at Treves was that of
herd of some fifty dog-fsced balloons
against successive single large beasts,
Of which they disposed with surprising
celebrity. A beautiful leopard. chivied
all about the sand by those grinning
manlike devils. made desperate eff
forts to escape. She esSayed a prodigi-
Gus leap out of the arena, and clutched
the parapet from which she spTang
into the seats Of the German chieftains.
This created some excitement. and
hurricane of cheers when one blonde,
pinkskinned young giant of them, his
blood scattering his fellows, delibeT-
ately strangled her 10 death in spite Of
her ClaWings, and hurled the carcass
back into the enclosure.
At last came the thirtv-two Of whom
thirty-one might die. The Roman was
among the sixteen on the side beneath
the ladies' benches. The young Greek
and the Gaul were on the other side,
below the seats of the Germans. In
the first round the Gaul was Over-cOn-
fident, and suffered a flesh-wound in
the knee. He won his bout, and so
cid the Greek and the Roman. II be-
fell so that for the last round, save
one the Roman survived, cool and un-
wounded, and the young Greek faced
the Gaul Of the defeated men who
were merely wounded. some had been
spared, and some dispatched. according
10 the favor of disfavor of the specta-
tors nearest them.
The Romans adversary grappled
=, 4 l., al
arms length after a long fight. The
Gaul had fallen to third wound al
most before the Roman had shortened
his sword grip TO begin dealing with
his man. Each set of victors had had
a brief breathing time. helmets On. The
! audience rustled and buZZed while the
Roman got his breath. 1t was hot and
dusty mid-afternoOn, but no one left.
Even the gaudiiy painted awning poles
afar and aloft were hid by agile en-
thusiasts Of the mob, who had swarmed
up them and were holding on with legs
and arms.
The Roman. being less fresh of the
two. the other crossed the arena, pass
ing through a wicket in the wall di-
/ viding the space, and faced his adver-
ssry below the ladies' seats. The rust
/ ling ceased. The clash of sword and
shield in every parry could be heard
by the farm aborers at the north end
J Of the circus. The women, especially,
humble and great. were wrought up
( with interest for the younger man.
( The fight was not long. His second
wound brought the lad to the ground.
/ The Roman set his foot on the fallen
/ chest, raised his sword and shield over
/ his head, and salUted the editor and
+ the spectators. Then. blinded by
sweat, he pitched off his big helmet.
/ shifted his grip of his sword. and be-
gan to roll his eyes along the benches
I 10 see what he must do with his fallen
/ foe. Every woman. child and man was
standing, every thumb pointed down.
+ The fainting boy might have heard
+ the cries Of the friendly folk. The
/ gladiator looked first towards the north,
+ Before he turned towards the editors
stand half the theatre saw his excel
/ Iency. his face perfectly expression
/ less, his hand resting on the velvet
+ covered rail before him. the thumb
( sJolidly pointing up. The gladiator
/ vas a slave. hired by him under an
oath and penalties Of fire and steel
/ Waves OF inarticulate remOnstrance
! ran from tier 10 tier Some half
drunken men Of the Fourteenth, lOung
\ ing in the doorway where the dead
/ bodies had been dragged out, saw the
( thumb also. Full of their success Of
I the morning. they thought it would be
q fine thing to rescue the young fellow
and started at a tiDsy double-quick
/ across the sand. The Roman saw
/ them looked around. and saw the edi-
; tor. He dared not hesitate. His life
. vas at stake. He gave the PROSTATE
lad a kick, and the boy tried to loosen
Z TIE helmet. His hands fell from weak
ness. The Roman cut the chin strap.
All this took place in six breaths.
/ The audience, with an electric mutual
4 understanding. sat down, every thumb
( outStretched earthward. Not soul
/ made any noise. not even TO cheer the
hslf-dozen running drunksrds
The Roman kicked Off the helmet.
and raised his blade for the finishing
stroke. AS it fell against the back
ground of hushed and seated gazers a
I purple-clsd figure arose from among
the ladies and another from the pre-
fects ivory throne. and a mans and
Z Woman'S voice screamed:
M s0n,''
The next moment the projects wife
had tainted; the Roman. his shield cast
away was kueeling beside the dying
lad. trying IN vain to check the blood
with his naked left hand: the whole
ieCdience. women and men alike. were
on their feet. and the project sank back
into his chair, dazed and trembling.
and 10 his ears the universe seemed
hlled with the iocisive howl OF rebuke
and derision which arose from $1,000
thrnafs