OF
HORROR.

STUNNED by his reprieve, doubting that he was awake, Glaucus had been
led by the officers of the arena into a small cell within the walls of
the theatre. They threw a loose robe over his form, and crowded round in
congratulation and wonder. There was an impatient and fretful cry
without the cell; the throng gave way, and the blind girl, led by some
gentler hand, flung herself at the feet of Glaucus.

'It is I who have saved thee,' she sobbed; now let me die!'

'Nydia, my child!--my preserver!'

'Oh, let me feel thy touch--thy breath! Yes, yes, thou livest! We are
not too late! That dread door, methought it would never yield! and
Calenus--oh! his voice was as the dying wind among tombs--we had to
wait--gods! it seemed hours ere food and wine restored to him something
of strength. But thou livest! thou livest yet! And I--I have saved
thee!'

This affecting scene was soon interrupted by the event just described.

'The mountain! the earthquake!' resounded from side to side. The
officers fled with the rest; they left Glaucus and Nydia to save
themselves as they might.

As the sense of the dangers around them flashed on the Athenian, his
generous heart recurred to Olinthus. He, too, was reprieved from the
tiger by the hand of the gods; should he be left to a no less fatal
death in the neighboring cell? Taking Nydia by the hand, Glaucus
hurried across the passages; he gained the den of the Christian! He
found Olinthus kneeling and in prayer.

'Arise! arise! my friend,' he cried. 'Save thyself, and fly! See!
Nature is thy dread deliverer!' He led forth the bewildered Christian,
and pointed to a cloud which advanced darker and darker, disgorging
forth showers of ashes and pumice stones--and bade him hearken to the
cries and trampling rush of the scattered crowd.

'This is the hand of God--God be praised!' said Olinthus, devoutly.

'Fly! seek thy brethren!--Concert with them thy escape. Farewell!'

Olinthus did not answer, neither did he mark the retreating form of his
friend. High thoughts and solemn absorbed his soul: and in the
enthusiasm of his kindling heart, he exulted in the mercy of God rather
than trembled at the evidence of His power.

At length he roused himself, and hurried on, he scarce knew whither.

The open doors of a dark, desolate cell suddenly appeared on his path;
through the gloom within there flared and flickered a single lamp; and
by its light he saw three grim and nak