was too
late, for the stroke of his foe had pierced his left arm. As he fell a
roar of joy arose from one hundred thousand human beings. But this was
not to be the end, for even while the conqueror stood over his victim
the attendants sprang forward and drew him away. Yet the Romans knew,
and the wounded man knew that it was not mercy. He was merely to be
reserved for a later but a certain fate.

"The Batavian is a skillful fighter, Marcellus," said one young officer
to a companion among the group which has been alluded to.

"He is, indeed, Lucullus," replied the other. "I do not think that I
ever saw a better gladiator. Indeed, both of them were much better than
common."

"They have a better man than either inside there."

"Ah! who is he?"

"The gladiator Macer. I think he is about the best I have ever seen."

"I have heard of him. Do you think he will be out today?"

"I understood so."

The short conversation was interrupted by a loud roar which came from
the vivarium, a place where the wild beasts were confined. It was a
fierce and a terrific roar, such as the most savage beasts give when
they are at the extremity of hunger and rage.

Soon iron gratings were flung open by men from above, and a tiger
stalked forth into the arenas. He was from Africa, whence he had been
brought but a few days previously. He had been kept three days without
food, and his furious rage, which hunger and confinement had heightened
to a terrible degree, was awful to behold. Lashing his tail, he walked
round the arena gazing with bloodshot eyes upward at the spectators. But
their attention was soon diverted to another object. From the opposite
side a man was thrust out into the arena. He had no armor, but was naked
like all gladiators, with the simple exception of a cloth around his
loins. Bearing in his hand the customary short sword, he advanced with a
firm pace toward the center of the scene.

All eyes at once were fixed upon this man. "Macer, Macer," was called
around by the innumerable spectators.

The tiger soon saw him, and uttered a short savage growl of fearful
import. Macer stood still, with his eyes calmly fixed upon the beast,
who, lashing his tail more madly than ever, bounded toward him. Finally
the tiger crouched, and then, with one terrific spring, leaped directly
upon him. But Macer was prepared. Like a flash he darted to the left,
and just as the tiger fell to the earth, he dealt a short sharp blow
straight t