which has been before detailed.

Gladiators again fought and slew one another singly and in multitudes.
There was every different mode of combat known in the arena, and of
these the most deadly were sure to find the most favor.

Again were the ever-recurring scenes of blood and agony presented; the
fierce champion of the day received the short-lived congratulations of
the fickle spectators. Again man fought with man, or waged a fiercer
contest with the tiger. Again the wounded gladiator looked up
despairingly for mercy, but received only the signal of death from the
pitiless spectators.

The satiated appetites of the multitude now demanded a larger supply of
slaughter. The combats between men who were equally matched had lost
their attraction for that day. It was known that Christians were
reserved for the concluding spectacle, and the appearance of these was
impatiently demanded.

Lucullus stood among the guards near the emperor's seat. Yet his brow
was more thoughtful, and his olden gayety had all departed.

High up among the loftier seats behind him was a pale stern face, that
was conspicuous among all around it for the concentrated gaze which it
fixed upon the arena. There was an expression of deep anxiety upon that
face which made it far different from all within the vast inclosure.

Now the harsh sound of the gratings arose, and a tiger leaped forth into
the arena. Throwing up its head and lashing its sides with its tail, it
stalked about glancing with fiery eyes upon the vast assemblage of human
beings which hemmed it in.

Soon a murmur arose. A boy was thrust into the arena.

Pale in face and slight in limb, his slender form was nothing before the
huge bulk of the furious beast. As if in derision, he was dressed like a
gladiator.

Yet in spite of his youth and his weakness there was nothing in his face
or manner that betrayed fear. His glance was calm and abstracted. He
moved forward quietly to the center of the arena, and there, in the
sight of all, he joined his hands together and lifted up his eyes and
prayed.

Meanwhile, the tiger moved around as before. He had seen the boy, but
the sight had no effect. He still raised his bloodshot eyes toward the
lofty walls and occasionally uttered a savage growl.

The man with the stern sad face looked on with all his soul absorbed in
that gaze.

There appeared to be no desire on the part of the tiger to attack the
boy, who still continued praying.

The