ks were dragged into the arena, and so disposed as
to afford shelter either for man or beast. By a mechanical device a
stream of water some six foot wide was made to wind its course along the
sands, and groups of tall reeds and other aquatic plants were skilfully
arranged beside the banks of this improvised stream.

Soon the whole aspect of the arena was thus transformed into an open
piece of country with trees here and there, and tufts of grass, mounds
and monticules, with a stream and a reed-covered shore. The whole
beautifully arranged and with due regard for realism.

The people watched, highly pleased; now that the Emperor's pet panther
had appeared they were satisfied that a spectacle such as they loved was
about to be unfolded before them.

But soon the workmen were engaged on other work, the purport of which
could not at first be guessed. To understand it at all a vivid picture
of the huge arena must appear before the mind.

Down below there was the artificial landscape, the trees, the stream,
the sand and grass, and all around the massive marble walls rose to a
height of some twelve feet to the lowest tier of the tribunes, beyond
which sat row upon row in precipitous gradients two hundred thousand
spectators.

At about four feet from the ground a narrow ledge--formed by the
elaborate carving in the solid marble--ran right along the walls, and
between this ledge and the top of the wall there was a low colonnaded
arcade with deep niches set between the fluted columns.

From these niches the workmen now suspended short ladders of twisted
crimson silk, of sufficient strength to bear the weight of a man. They
affixed these to heavy steel rings imbedded in the bases of the columns,
and when the ladders were in position, they hung down low enough, that a
man--standing on the ledge below--could just contrive to seize the ends
and to swing himself aloft, up into the niche.

The public watched these preparations with breathless interest, for soon
their objects became evident. It was clear that those who were to be
exposed to an encounter with the panther would be given a fair chance of
escape. It was to be an even fight between man and beast.

A man hotly pursued by the brute could--if he were sufficiently
agile--leap upon the narrow ledge, seize the rope-ladder and climb up it
until he reached the safe haven of the niche, and could draw the ladder
in after him. And fear of death doth lend a man wondrous agility.