a novelty not yet witnessed at the games, the
crocodiles from the Nile and the wolves from the Thracian forests.

It was amusing to hear the snarl of the lions and to think of them as
they would appear anon pitted one against the other, or engaged in
deadly combat against the crocodiles. But still more exciting would it
be when the prisoners of war, lately captured in Germany, would have to
try their heavy fists against the masters of the desert.

The procession of the beasts had lasted close upon an hour. The public
waxed impatient. Beasts were well enough, but their prey was what the
people desired to see. Women clamoured as loudly as the men. Children
stood up upon the benches to catch sight of the prisoners, the
malefactors, the rebellious slaves who would furnish the sport later on.

Presently they began to arrive and were greeted with loud
acclamations--trembling, miserable bundles of humanity with hideous
death staring at them all round, the pungent odour of wild beasts
stinking of death, the glowering eyes of an excited populace testifying
that no mercy would be shown.

The slaves mostly looked the prey of abject terror, backboneless, and
with the cold sweat already pouring from their huddled-up bodies; they
were men caught in the act of murder or of theft, confirmed malefactors
most of them, now condemned to the arena to expiate their crimes and
afford a holiday for the people.

Some of the most hardened criminals had been dressed up to look like the
German rebels whom the Emperor was supposed lately to have vanquished,
with tow-coloured wigs and coverings of goatskin around their torso:
they were marched round the gigantic arena, with clanging chains on
their wrists and ankles.

The public was delighted at their appearance. It confirmed the prowess
of the Caesar, for the men had been selected for this special exhibition
because of their height or the breadth of their shoulders. Everyone was
curious to see them, and howls of execration greeted them as they
passed. It was felt that they deserved far more severe punishment than
was meted to ordinary criminals. They had rebelled against the might of
Caesar, and in a manner had made attempt against his sacred life.

But the most interesting part of this early morning show was undoubtedly
the black panther whom the native prince of Numidia had sent as a
tribute to the imperator. Wild rumours as to its cunning and its
ferocity had been in circulation for some