The Mother of St. Nicholas Part 3

"He is. But see, he is telling thy husband something, and look how earnestly Carnion watches his words. Of a surety something strange or startling is going to present itself next. The uncertainty about the time of the Christian's appearance must be removed, but my brother's signal will tell."

CHAPTER VI.

THE INDIGNATION OF THARSOS.

Tharsos was speaking with deep but suppressed feeling.

"I have heard of the maiden," he continued, "and have seen her in my native province. Her good deeds to the poor and the suffering have been countless. Her whole life has been work and pity and self-sacrifice. It represents the highest moral beauty."

"Strange," remarked t.i.ta.n.u.s sympathetically, "that the maiden has held up under prison life so long."

"Though meek and modest," replied Tharsos, "she possesses a fort.i.tude that bears incredible strain. I almost believe, indeed I do believe, that her power must come from Him whom they call Jesus of Nazareth."

"Our laws are evil," said t.i.ta.n.u.s reflectively, "or such a woman would have known no strain but daily duty. But thou art becoming Christian, Tharsos, yet I do not reproach thee--it were good if all men were."

At this stage the riderless steed kicked a pursuing guard on the palm of his uplifted hand, raised in self defence, and the spectators laughed heartily. Carnion's attention was diverted for a little from the serious conversation, and he stepped a few feet away.

"'Evil,' didst thou say! Our heathen system is corrupt and cursed, an only too ready tool of ignorant malice. For no other reason could the enemies of the accomplished maiden lead her into this arena"; and Tharsos writhed under the thought that justified his grave charge.

t.i.ta.n.u.s was astonished to see a man so loyal and reflective, and hitherto so quiet and self-possessed, now quivering with indignation.

"Be tranquil, my friend, thou canst not mend matters, and thou hast done thy duty. Hast thou not told me of thy hastening to the Praefect to plead for postponement or release, and that this dignitary had already gone to the Colosseum, with all of the lesser magistrates who had any possible power?"

"I would that I had received the tidings earlier," was the answer, spoken in a low tone of deep sadness, even despair.

"Content thee, my dear Tharsos, thou hast done thy best; and strive to think that speedy death, even if cruel and revolting, is better than prolonged prison-hards.h.i.+p and degradation."

Tharsos turned and looked up at the serried ma.s.s of living faces behind him, his indignation now controlled, yet he saw no one--none but the beautiful face of his affectionate sister whom he warmly loved; and there flashed into his heart--"What if she were the victim!" His colour changed and his lips tightened. Some strange thought seemed to enter him, and he arose from his seat.

"Thou wilt, of course, wait and see the maiden?" said t.i.ta.n.u.s with a perplexed inquiring look.

But Tharsos stood up to his full height, and cast one withering look towards t.i.ta.n.u.s, as much as if to say--"What, witness the butchery of one like my own sister!" Turning haughtily on his heel, he strode two steps back to the staircase, muttering something in which there was the distinct word Lion, and in a moment he was down and out of view.

CHAPTER VII.

THE PERPLEXITY OF CARNION.

Amidst the laughter and the babel of voices, Carnion's quick ear caught the magic word--Lion!

Turning round into his former place, "Is there a lion coming at last, my father?" he asked eagerly, while his dark eyes sparkled with emotion.

"Yes, my son."

"I am very sorry that Tharsos has gone," remarked the boy, looking at the vomitory (opening) of the staircase.

"He had, he was--rather, he preferred to go; perhaps it is better,"

said t.i.ta.n.u.s with a troubled absent look.

"What kind of lion is coming father?" enquired Carnion, his chief interest being in that direction.

"A great lion from Libya, my son, a beast fierce and hungry."

"And with what beasts is it going to fight? Will they be wild-boars, or bears, or tigers, or elephants? How I should love to see a big battle among them all! Tell me, father, what are the beasts to be."

And the beautiful boy fairly shook with excitement.

The father did not speak for a moment. His brows lowered over large brown eyes, a crimson wave of shame and anger swept over his handsome face, followed by a subduing wave of pity, and then he spoke in a tone that surprised the ardent boy.

"Carnion," said he, "there is little likelihood that the lion will have anything to fight with."

"Why not, father?" asked the boy, feeling quite disappointed. "Will it only go round the arena and roar?"

"Were that all, my son, I should be exceedingly glad."

The boy was perplexed:--"What dost thou mean, father?"

"I mean, my son, that the lion is to find its prey in the form of a defenceless virtuous woman!"

The boy was amazed and his eyes were piercing. "My father," said he tremulously, "is it the lady Tharsos spoke of?"

"Yes, Carnion."

"Oh father, how cruel!" exclaimed the boy in great distress. "Will n.o.body fight for her and save her?"

"If any man be found bold enough to face the most formidable brute that ever sprang into the arena--that, and that only may save her," answered t.i.ta.n.u.s. "But the conditions are hard, so hard that I may say the case is well-nigh hopeless, and the man that would undertake it would either be a fool, impelled by inordinate greed, or filled with G.o.d-like self-sacrifice. Neither s.h.i.+eld, nor spear, nor sword--nothing but a bronze dagger is to be allowed her defender, should one come forward, and he is to be naked but for a slight girdle around his loins."

"Is there no man compelled to fight, oh father?"

"No one, my son. The defence is voluntary. Both Demonicus and Tela.s.sar volunteered; the former is dead, and I fear the latter will back out. Who else would venture, I know not."

"Father," said the boy, in a trembling tone, yet with a ring of purpose in it, "wilt thou permit my absence for a little time?"

"Certainly, my son: it was in my mouth to bid thee look into the street for a little time; or if thy desire be to speak a word with mother thou mayest, but tell my name to the _designator_ (seat-attendant).

't.i.ta.n.u.s' is enough."

Carnion disappeared.

CHAPTER VIII.

WAITING FOR THE VICTIM.