THE LION AND THE TIGER.
Splendid was the appearance of the Saxons on the morning of the great
day of the games at Tiberias, when they marched around the arena with
the jarl at their head, for their arms and armor were bright and their
bearing was that of warriors accustomed to conquer. They themselves
gazed, wondering, as they went, at the throngs which crowded the
rising tiers of seats. Among these were many in gorgeous apparel,
and the rich women had vied with each other in the colors and shapes
of their garments and in the gold and jewels of their tiaras and
other ornaments. There was a place on a lower tier for all the free
gladiators, and to this the Saxons went after their marching. In it was
a covered stairway going down to the door by which any among them might
enter a room adjoining the arena to wait for his summons to combat.
Each company of the trained ones was by itself and they were not too
near each other.
Julius and Caius and other great men, with their glittering women, had
a place which was as if it were full of thrones, but in the center of
this was one splendid chair in which only a Cæsar or a proconsul might
at any time presume to sit. It was this day unoccupied, but against
it leaned the eagle standard of a legion and before it were scattered
flowers.
The games began with races, both of footmen and chariots, and in these
the multitude were interested greatly, but only they who had wagers
cared much who might win.
When these were over it was time for the shedding of blood, and a band
of captives were driven in, knowing that their fate had come.
"I see no swordsmen," was in the mind of Ulric. "Each of these hath a
dart, but he is naked and so are the women and children."
Then uttered he a loud exclamation, for a door under the tiers of seats
swung open widely and the den behind it vomited wolves famished with
hunger and thirst.
"So many!" said Ulric. "Where got they so many? This is the cruelty
of the Romans. I see no sport in this thing. It is but tearing and
shrieking, for the small darts avail not."
Nevertheless, many wolves were slain before all the captives were torn
down. Men in full armor went out to drive the rest of the beasts back
to their den, but it was not difficult, for hunger was satiated and a
wolf might carry with him a torn limb or a fragment of raw flesh.
Swiftly a crowd of bondservants cleansed the arena, and the feast of
the wolves had not been long in duration.
"There cometh now thy giant with the net and trident," said Ulric to
Tostig. "He is very black. He is from Africa. Watch him well, for
this thing of his is but a trick of skill. Thou couldst parry that
three-pronged spear?"
"That can I," said Tostig. "But the net? Let us see what he doeth with
that short-legged brown swordsman in mail and helmet."
Brave seemed to be the brown warrior, but the net flew over him and
the negro stepped backward, dragging. Then it was but as a flash and
the trident was driven deeply through mail and breast.
Loud were the plaudits of the multitude, for the pitiless black had
seemed to show both skill and strength.
The next comer was a large man, and Ben Ezra, sitting near Ulric,
ground his teeth.
"A warrior of Israel, from the Lebanon!" he exclaimed. "He will but be
netted!"
"Watch!" whispered Ulric to Tostig. "Thy turn cometh next. Mark how he
faileth and remember what I taught thee."
"I see his sleight of hand," said Tostig. "I have beaten harder
fighters than he is. The Jew is snared!"
Longer this time had been the contest, for the Jew ran, dodging,
advancing, retreating, striking, and it was only by his utmost skill
that the huge African at last threw over him the fatal net. Even then
the trident was parried oft, but it struck and the brave Jew went down.
"Now!" said Ulric to Tostig. "I go with thee. We will show them a
thing. Let me see thy seax. It is sharp. It will do. Off with thy
armor! Take this heavy shield and see that thou cast it well."
Bare, save a cloth around his loins and a helmet on his head, Tostig
went out into the arena, and the multitude shouted loudly, but
Julius bit his lip. "Here is something more than the Nubian hath yet
encountered," he muttered. "I would I might change my wagers. Yonder
Saxon is an athlete for the Olympian games."
Well used were the rabble of Tiberias, however, to see their black
favorite net his victims. Neither they nor he expected aught but a sure
and speedy victory.
Facing each other at twenty cubits' distance were now the two
combatants, and on the face of Tostig the Red was a smile.
"Now do I see more plainly the meaning of the jarl!" he exclaimed. "Let
this black one but cast his net. Thor and Odin! What a simple trick is
this to be slain by!"
The black uttered a great cry, laughing, as he strode forward, but
Tostig made no retreat. He did but stamp with one foot, balancing
himself, and loosened the exceedingly heavy shield upon his left arm,
to seize it, also, with his right hand.
Through the air swept the net of peril, whistling as it went, and
flying, with a wide hollowing, to fall over Tostig as it had fallen
over many another. Laughed, also, Tostig, throwing with all his
strength, and midway in the air the heavy shield struck into the
hollow of the net, swinging it suddenly downward, but it fell also
over the points of the lowered trident, tangling it. Around and under
the tangle, not touched by it, went the white and muscular shape of
the Saxon and the swift seax went twice into the bosom of the African
juggler with nets.
"Thy sesterces, O Julius!" shouted Caius. "Thy favorite is gone from
thee. What thinkest thou of my Saxons?"
True gamester was Julius, for his face changed not its proud serenity.
"I have but learned how a strong swordsman may overcome the weapons of
Neptune," he responded. "My lion will bring me back my sesterces."
"Well for thee, O jarl!" muttered Caius. "My Saxons have a cunning
captain. He is a man to win battles. I must keep him. But great is his
peril now. Jove guard him lest I lose many sesterces."
The multitude was hoarse with shouting, and now they grew silent, for
they knew by the lists that they were next to see a trained swordsman
torn asunder by the unconquerable lion from Numidia, the beast which
had slain heroes before Cæsar.
The trumpet had not yet sounded when Ulric, the son of Brander, went
down the stairway to the room below where waited for him the master of
the games, and upon this man's face was a bitter smile, for he was a
servant of Julius.
"O Saxon," he said, "the edict forbiddeth thee to wear mail. Thou hast
but a sword and buckler. The lion weareth no armor."
"Ulric the Jarl," exclaimed Wulf the Skater, "this is a trick for thy
destruction!"
"Wait thou, true friend," said the jarl. "Trust me yet a little. Odin
is with me this day, and fear not thou these tricksters."
The master of the games understood not the Saxon tongue, but he read
well the fierce eyes of Wulf and he fell back a little, for the
Skater's hand was on his sword-hilt and the Saxons were known to act
suddenly.
"No helmet!" said the cunning friend of Julius. "The lion fighteth
bareheaded."
The sword of Wulf rattled loosely in the sheath as the helmet was put
aside, but he obeyed a sign from Ulric and drew it not.
"If the jarl be slain," he muttered, "that dog must die. I will see to
this matter."
Knud the Bear had come down, but he was silent and his face was dark.
He and Wulf turned and went up the stairs and so did the master of the
games, well satisfied.
"Now the long sword!" said Ulric, throwing aside the short falchion
provided for him. "O but its edge is keen!"
He heard the trumpet sound and the door before him opened. Then the
great multitude shouted with admiration and the Saxons themselves
wondered.
"He is so beautiful!" exclaimed Tostig the Red. "O that we must lose
him! What shall we do without our jarl?"
"Would that I might die with him!" groaned Wulf the Skater, but Knud
was thoughtful.
"Do we not know him?" he said. "Is he not the son of Odin? Are all our
gods dead? I think the Nornir are not here and that the valkyrias will
not come."
A tower of white stood the jarl, with but a silken garment from waist
to knee, and his golden-curled head was a glory. In his hand was the
African sword, its bright blade and the jewels of its hilt glittering.
"It is not the sword I sent him," muttered Julius. "That might have
broken in his hand, but this will not. He is like Mars! O Caius, what
thinkest thou of thy barbarian and of thy sesterces?"
"Wilt thou double thy wager?" asked Caius. "I am pleased with my Saxon
lion."
"Nay," laughed Julius, "thou wilt have losses enough. Thou wilt see him
torn shortly."
For the trumpet spoke again and the lion sprang out of his cage with a
roar like distant thunder. The sun rays fell upon his face, however,
and he lifted his head, blinded for a moment. Then he saw the throng
and he walked along a few paces, as if willing to spring among the
tiers of seats, but they were high and he looked again around the
arena. Motionless stood Ulric, watching the lion, and between them
now was but half the width of the arena. Men breathed not, but leaned
forward in their places, and now the eyes of the great beast perceived
the jarl and he roared with the roar of hunger and wrath.
"Now for thy Saxon!" said Julius to Caius. "I think his hour hath come."
"O jarl!" murmured Wulf. "Is it for this thou didst sail to the Middle
Sea? Where is now thy city of Asgard!"
"Hark!" exclaimed Knud the Bear. "Another cometh! Here is more
treachery! A tiger!"
Not with a roar, but with a snarl that was dreadful did the Hyrcanian
monster rush from his den into the arena. He was more terrible to look
upon than was even the lion, and he paused not in his going. He seemed
to rush along the ground, crouching stealthily, and he looked longer
and larger as he went.
"The jarl is lost!" said Tostig the Red. "O to be near with my spear
for one cast. This is twain upon one!"
"This was thy bargain," said Caius to the cunning Julius. "Thy tiger
was to contend with the swordsman of my naming. I have appointed this
chief."
"So be it!" said Julius calmly. "I accept!"
"Wait!" muttered Ben Ezra to the Saxons. "The beasts have seen each
other. Mark now the swift movement of the jarl! The lion is about to
spring! The tiger! O God of Israel, aid thou, even though he be a
heathen!"
The tiger's rush was rapid and Ulric sprang forward as if to meet him;
but the lion was in the air with a vast bound, his black mane streaming
and his teeth showing in the cavern of his jaws.
Not upon Ulric did he alight, however, for at his spring and roar the
tiger turned in his tracks as toward one who would wrest from him his
intended prey. Past both of them darted the jarl as the Numidian fell
heavily upon the Hyrcanian; then his turning was as the light in its
quickness and he thrust with his might upon the beasts as they grappled
each other, rolling upon the ground and tearing.
"He hath cut off one forepaw of the tiger," exclaimed Knud. "That
thrust was at the lion. Again! Again! Such roaring was never heard."
The wild beasts tore as they roared and the multitude uttered loud
outcries, but all of the movements in the arena were untellably rapid,
nor might they who were watching separate Ulric from his two enemies.
He was with them at every spring and turn and roll. The long, keen
sword dripped blood and the white skin of the son of Odin was spattered
redly, as if he were sorely wounded.
"If he be slain at all thou losest," said Julius.
"O friend," replied Caius, "be thou contented. Thou must buy thee
better beasts than these."
"Mark!" exclaimed Tostig the Red. "That was a thrust behind the
shoulder. The tiger falleth undermost. O jarl! Beware now of thy lion!"
Over the dying tiger stood the huge Numidian, panting and roaring, and
before him stood the jarl, looking him in the eyes.
"Splendid is he!" exclaimed Ben Ezra. "Jehovah of Hosts, be with him
now! It is the last."
Forward went the lion, but not with a bound, and he swerved in his
rush owing to his many wounds. High in the air and over him, in a leap
for life, went the son of Odin, and as his feet touched the earth he
turned, thrusting swiftly, and he sprang again. Wild were the plaudits
of the multitude, but the lion was staggering and his roar was muffled.
"One thrust more," muttered Ulric. "I am sorely spent and I bleed.
Hael, Odin! I have cloven his heart! He dieth!"
Then turned he and walked steadily to the front of the place of the
great ones, while a vast clamor arose in all the tiers of seats.
"O Saxon," said Caius, "art thou wounded?"
"A scratch or two," replied the jarl, cunningly. "Am I to fight another
lion this day, or wait I until the morrow?"
"O Caius, the sesterces are thine," said Julius. "Thy barbarian hath
won for thee. Never saw I the like of this."
"To thy place, O jarl," shouted Caius. "I come to thee quickly. Be thou
silent!"
Away strode Ulric, stepping proudly, but the door of the room he sought
opened as he came.
"Enter! Enter!" shouted Knud the Bear. "O our beloved, art thou slain?"
"Water, quickly!" said Ulric. "I would drink. Wash me also. Bind up my
hurts and put on my mail. Let no man see these tearings in my limbs. I
shall not die!"
"Glory to the God of Israel!" exclaimed Ben Ezra. "I am the physician
for thy hurts. Bring bandages. These are not to death. I feared for
thee greatly."
"Nevertheless," growled Wulf the Skater, "I will slay that master of
the games. O jarl, if we had lost thee!"
So said the other Saxons, crowding down to greet him, but the bandages
were made firm, the mail and the helmet were put on, and then out
across the arena marched they all, the jarl leading them.
"Truly he is not slain," muttered Julius. "I have lost my beasts and my
sesterces!"
At the great portal, however, Caius waited with a chariot.
"Not to thy quarters, O Saxon jarl," he said. "I take thee to Capernaum
for thy healing. All thy men will follow now, and a ship waiteth at the
seaside. Julius must not see how thou art wounded. Wilt thou live?"
"He will live," said Ben Ezra. "Speak not now. Harm was done by claws,
but more by a paw stroke on the head. But for that he had slain them
sooner, and he was torn only while he was fallen. A hard battle, O
Caius of Thessalonica."
"He and his have beaten Julius for me," said Caius. "They shall fight
no more save at Jerusalem and at Rome."
"May we tarry long enough to offer sacrifices to the gods of this
place?" asked Knud. "I would leave them in good humor. It is well to be
on good terms with the gods."
"What sayest he?" asked Caius of Ben Ezra, but Ulric himself responded:
"Peace with thy gods, O Knud. Let alone. I saw when I was under the
tiger's paw. I thought at first of the valkyrias, but they came not.
The gods of this place we will leave here. They are nothing to us.
Come!"
"So be it!" said Knud. "I meant only to deal prudently. Thou art our
jarl. We will come."
They lifted Ulric into the chariot, Ben Ezra and Knud and Tostig
entering with him, and the other Saxons followed, led by Wulf the
Skater. With them now was Abbas, and he said to Ben Ezra:
"The keeper of the tiger's cage hath lost his head for letting him out
too soon, and the master of the games lieth slain under the tiers, no
man knoweth by whose hand."
"They who butcher many," said Ben Ezra, "do well to avoid knives. The
man with all other men for enemies dieth speedily."
But Wulf the Skater smiled joyously and he said to Lars, the son of
Beolf, at his side:
"The Jew is a wise one; but beware thou of Abbas, lest he sell thee."
Lars looked at the spear in his hand and at Abbas, and he answered not.
"We have our jarl!" laughed Wulf as they went forward, and quickly they
were at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and they saw a galley, like
a pleasure boat, rowing rapidly nearer to the place where the chariot
halted.