ith the shout and the sudden check, rested back flat upon
its limbs and belly. Like David of old when facing the giant, the
young man came forward trusting in the God of Israel.

"Who is that courageous but foolhardy venturer?" enquired the emperor.

"Tharsos, of the praetorian guard, O sovereign."

"One of my noblest and wealthiest officers!" exclaimed the emperor;
"yet let him go--he tends towards the detested Christians," added he
haughtily.

Servilius, the pagan confidant of the emperor, but the enemy of
Tharsos, was secretly delighted. "We shall soon get rid of him, and
Emerentia will be mine," said he to himself, as he leaned over to take
a satisfied, last look at the self-sacrificing nobleman below.

Pathema was struck with amazement, but inexpressibly grieved to think
that the fair form of her defender would be speedily felled to the
earth, and mangled, and devoured!

Tharsos did not stand on the defensive: he took the first step to
battle; and the people gave a deafening shout of approval. He moved
towards the formidable lion with slow but firm tread. The mysterious
light of the steadfast human eye was unbearable--the suspicious beast
rose up and skulked away, with trailing tail and with head turned
partly round to keep watch upon its enemy. Tharsos held on steadily,
purposing that if death should happen to him, it would be as far away
as possible from the eyes of the sore-tried, desolate maiden.

When near the side of the arena right opposite the emperor, the lion
howled with fear and sprang ten feet up towards the balcony, its
eye-balls gleaming just a short space below Titanus and his eager boy.

Rising up quickly, Titanus placed his hand upon the hilt of his sword.
Fain would he have leapt down to the aid of his beloved friend. Their
eyes met for a moment; and, though pale and grave, Tharsos smiled.

Baffled in its leap, the brute turned sharply round, face to face with
its determined pursuer, and uttered a terrific roar of rage. The issue
would soon be decided, and the immense concourse of people held their
breath, while Pathema turned away her head and offered up a silent
prayer to Him who has power over the beast of the field.

Tharsos now drew slowly back, while keeping his eyes towards the
enraged lion. Suddenly withdrawing his gaze, he turned and ran with
swift and bounding steps straight for the eastern extremity of the
arena, while the surprised spectators yelled their contempt aft