The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-06-04

In the Roman empire were Antioch,
Rome. Alexandria, and Treves ON the
solle. Treyes, which was the cen
tire whence were governed Britain.
Gaul Spain, the Alpine districts. and
the Rhine frontier, was the residence
Of the prefect of the Rhine prov
inces. l.e was a very exalted per-
sonagc aud commanded the army
which was forever repelling the at.
temps OF the Germanic tribes to
cross the Rhine. At Treves also was
the administration of these legions cen
tired. There was not month of sum.
mer or of winter when they had not
some fighting to- do, much of which
was fierce and some desperate.
For ten years the Rhine legionaries
had won all their battles under the
same prefect. and never had any mill
tary order Of his miscarried. In bat
tie and in siege. in attack and in de-
fence, the confidence of his men in
him was absolute. Yet there was not
in all the empire more unpopular
man than his Excelency the Prefect
of the Rhine Marches. He more than
counteracted the effect of his military
prestige by an unsympathetic. unin-
spring, and chilly demeanor. His sue
cesses reused no enthusiasm for him
self. In camp he was relentless
martinez. Outside the army. in the
municipal administration Of Treves, IN
the government of the province, and
In all things small and great, through
out even Britain and Spain, his uncon-
ciliatory manner and his stubborn for
mality won him fear and hatred.
II was hot and dusty summer, with
bad crops. The parade ground of
Treves was, If possible. hotter and
dustier than the country about. II
was white floor of dazzling. impal-
ran one rampant of the camp, over
which showed the roofs of the low,
dull-brown brick barracks. The other
three sides were lined with crazy huts
or shanties, dens of the camp follow
ers and houses of the suffers. About
half an hour after sunrise the two le.
gions then quartered at Treves were
under review. Roman garrison review
began at the first glow of dawn. The
inspection of the formation was over.
The Prefect, with his staff, was at one
end of the ground, the Fourteenth Le-
gion on his left, and the Thirty-third
on his right.
The quaester read out the guard as
signments, the watchword, and finally
that centurion of the Fourteenth Le-
gion was to be deprived of his rank,
and forwarded to the capital to an
swer the charge of conspiracy. He
was summoned to step out and place
himself in the hands of his guards.
The accused was by far the most pop
ular man in the legion, and ranked
third among its sixty centurions. The
rrefect had long disliked him, and
would have preferred even more sum-
mary measures.
Almost before the order had been
read the Fourteenth changed from a
serried machine to seething swarm
Of human figures, weltering in the
dense envelope of dust which rose
from under them. The centurions
whom the rank and file distrusted
were pinioned, every sword was out,
and with weapons and shields aloft
the men yelled themselves hoarse.
The Prefect ordered the first mani
pie of the Thirty.third to arrest the
ringleaders. The Thirty.third stood
ike images, peering as well as they
could against the sunlight in their
eyes towards the mob across the
parade.ground. The orderly did not
take the trouble to ride back to report
how the command was received.
The Prefect called out:
as there no man here who respects
his oath? AS well salute your centu-
rion Emperor"
The clamor was so loud that the
staff could hardly hear each other.
The centurion who was the cause Of
the outbreak seemed to be trying to
quiet his fellows.
The Prefect ragged mutely. Even his
staff were against him and longed to
see him Inundated.
When comparative silence was re-
stored, not losing an instant, he chose
the most dangerous and most promis-
ing course possible. For he was reallya
great commander and bold one. He
rode three horse-lengths, alone, to-
wards the mutineers, and asked them
If they reblled against the Emperor,
against himself, or against that par
ticular order alone.
Diverse shoutings answered. A
young centurion, who had taken no
part in fomentng or auieting the tu-
multi, stepped out. The men held
their peace, and he said, very slowly
and conciliatingly, that they did not
rebel against the Emperor, that they
did not mutiny against their command
er, but that they did ask him to recon-
slider an order which had not yet re-
ceived his official approval. Groans
and cheers greeted all three state
ments.
His Excellency was reassured. The
men had no fixed plans. they were
divided, and they had no determined