fforts of the hunted, their falls over the
obstacles, their look of horror, and the contortions of their meagre
bodies when they were caught at last.

"Habet! Habet! Habet!" everyone shouted when one of the unfortunate
wretches brought to bay tried to turn on his pursuer, and to pit two
feeble arms against the relentless grip of well-trained giants, and
against the death-dealing sword.

"Habet! Habet! Habet!"

"He has it!" they screamed. He has the hideous death, the gaping wound
in the still panting chest. He has the final agony which helps to make a
holiday for the great citizens of the world.

Now at last the sand of the arena has turned red with blood, the sickly
odour mounts to every nostril; shrieks become more wild, like those of
thousands of demons let loose. Anticipation and desire has been brought
to its wildest pitch, and Caligula has every cause to be satisfied.

Cries of "The lions! the lions! Slaves to the lions!" resounded from
every side. Thousands of feet beat a tattoo on the floor, and from
behind the great copper gates a mighty roar filled the heat-laden air
with its awesome echo.

In his gilded cage supported by carved pillars and drawn by eight
Ethiopian slaves, the favourite of Caligula was slowly wheeled into the
arena.

A huge sigh rose from every breast. The tumult was hushed; dead silence
fell upon the vast concourse of people suddenly turned to stone, alive
only by two hundred thousand pairs of eyes fixed upon the cage and its
occupant.

The black panther--with its sleek black coat on which the midday sun
threw tiny blotches of tawny lights--was cowering in a corner of its
cage; its snake-like head, with the broad flat brow and wide curved
jaws, was drawn back between its shoulders, its small golden eyes,
gleaming like yellow topaz, were half closed in wary somnolence.

Slowly the cage was wheeled round by the panting negro slaves, and then
it was brought to a standstill against the copper gates at the eastern
end of the arena.

CHAPTER XVII

"Be thou faithful unto death."--REVELATIONS II. 10.

Up in the gorgeously draped tribune, beneath the striped awning, the
Emperor Caligula watched the arrival of his pet panther with a grin of
delight upon his face. He rubbed his hands together in obvious glee, and
anon pointed out the beauty of the ferocious creature to the Augusta Dea
Flavia, who coldly nodded in response.

She had sat beside the Caesar all through the long, w