en you, Niger, are a gentler
combatant than they.'

'But equally dangerous,' said the gladiator, with a fierce laugh; and
the bystanders, admiring his vast limbs and ferocious countenance,
laughed too.

'That as it may be,' answered Lydon, carelessly, as he pressed through
the throng and quitted the den.

'I may as well take advantage of his shoulders,' thought the prudent
Sosia, hastening to follow him: 'the crowd always give way to a
gladiator, so I will keep close behind, and come in for a share of his
consequence.'

The son of Medon strode quickly through the mob, many of whom recognized
his features and profession.

'That is young Lydon, a brave fellow: he fights to-morrow,' said one.

'Ah! I have a bet on him,' said another; 'see how firmly he walks!'

'Good luck to thee, Lydon!' said a third.

'Lydon, you have my wishes,' half whispered a fourth, smiling (a comely
woman of the middle class)--'and if you win, why, you may hear more of
me.'

'A handsome man, by Venus!' cried a fifth, who was a girl scarce in her
teens. 'Thank you,' returned Sosia, gravely taking the compliment to
himself.

However strong the purer motives of Lydon, and certain though it be that
he would never have entered so bloody a calling but from the hope of
obtaining his father's freedom, he was not altogether unmoved by the
notice he excited. He forgot that the voices now raised in commendation
might, on the morrow, shout over his death-pangs. By nature fierce and
reckless, as well as generous and warm-hearted, he was already imbued
with the pride of a profession that he fancied he disdained, and
affected by the influence of a companionship that in reality he loathed.
He saw himself now a man of importance; his step grew yet lighter, and
his mien more elate.

'Niger,' said he, turning suddenly, as he had now threaded the crowd;
'we have often quarrelled; we are not matched against each other, but
one of us, at least, may reasonably expect to fall--give us thy hand.'

'Most readily,' said Sosia, extending his palm.

'Ha! what fool is this? Why, I thought Niger was at my heels!'

'I forgive the mistake,' replied Sosia, condescendingly: 'don't mention
it; the error was easy--I and Niger are somewhat of the same build.'

'Ha! ha! that is excellent! Niger would have slit thy throat had he
heard thee!'

'You gentlemen of the arena have a most disagreeable mode of talking,'
said Sosia; 'let us change the conversation.'

'