The wrestler of Philippi : a tale of the early Christians

Chapter I. The Lost Amulet

WHY, what is this?"

The speaker dropped the heav.y door-curtain he had just drawn aside, and strode rapidly across the stone floor to a figure at the further end— a girlish figure resting on a divan, and doubled up with weeping.

She did not answer instantly, and the young man stood beside her looking down with a helpless patience for a moment, as if uncertain what to do or say. Presently he spoke again:

" Has anything happened, Salome?"

"Happened? How can you ask?" the other managed to sob out in a voice of almost petulant reproach.

" I mean anything new," he hastened to explain with an air of meekness. " Of course—"

" Of course you cannot or will not understand. Hector. You never do. Is a grief the less keen because it grows older daily? Can I ever get used to this?"

" We do get used to things," he returned slowly, gazing down at her from his superior height, as a good-natured but lumbering camel might gaze upon a fawn. " We have to control our grief or it would kill us, you see. Come, try and stop, can you not? It is time for the evening meal, and I am hungry."

" Hungry! Men are always thinking of their comforts. Have you not one thought for our poor lost Herklas, wandering no one knows how, or whither?"

The man's face twitched with some internal emotion, but, absorbed in her own luxurious sorrow, Salome did not see it. After a moment he said gently:

" But is there anything new, dear? I left you quite bright, this morning. What have you heard?"

" Nothing. But I know now all is over. Herklas will never return." Then rising and facing him, with her dark eyes awed to steadiness, she whispered solemnly, " Hector, I have lost my amulet! The gods have given me over to the fates, and sorrow is to be my portion."

"Bah!" cried the brother, throwing back his broad shoulders and letting out a merry laugh from his splendid chest " Is that all? I was sure you had news that Herklas was in prison at least, if not sent to the galleys — or even dead by torture." He shuddered a little. " And it is only your amulet?"

"Only!" Her red lips curled angrily, and she began gathering up her fair tresses and thrusting them into their silken flUet with a petulant gesture. "Is not that enough? What is to keep me from evil and misfortune now?"

" Well, sister, perhaps I can help a little!" stretching out his long, massive arms, quite bare of covering, and bringing them back to an angle that made the muscles stand up like hillocks. " I think, possibly, I may have a word to say, or a move to make, provided misfortune comes in a visible form, eh?"

His persistent good-humor overcame her at last, and her pretty teeth gleamed in an irrepressible smile as she cried archly:

" Boaster! , Do you think yourself even a match for the gods, then, because you have twice worn the Olympian crown? But indeed, dear Hector, it is a serjopp loss. It was of purest silver from the CordoVan mines, wrought by a silversmith of Bphesus. and delicately chased with one of the most favorable signs of the zodiac. Then it held a bit of the hair from a sacred white bull, and had been blessed by a Vestal. Think of its

Copyrlglit, 1896 and 1897, by David C. Cook Publishing Company.

value, brother. Why, such an amulet is priceless!"

" But where did you lose it, child?"

"What a question!" laughing merrily now. " If I knew that, would I be crying here? It was hanging from a cord of silver wire about my neck but a day or two ago, and now it is gone— that is all I can tell you."

" Have you looked for it?"

" Yes, everywhere."

" Well, well! crying will not bring it back, and the gods hate tears. Besides, I am so hungry, Salome!"

He spoke in pleading tones, like a schoolboy, (or he knew this would conquer her; and it did.

" Very well," she said promptly, " light the brazier then, and I will steep you a cup from the chocolate beans you brought home yesterday. Then there are dates, oatcake, and fish. Will these serve you?"

" Excellently well, sister; only make haste."

And quite restored to good-humor now, Salome skipped away on light feet to bestir her one little slave, Persis, to these pleasant household tasks.

Left alone. Hector threw himself on the divan of sail-cloth, made in imitation of the rich couches draped in silk and gold stuffs much affected in the houses of the Roman nobles, and was soon in sad reflection, which plowed a deep line between his wide-set blue eyes. Because he was a Wrestler, and therefore used to sights of blood and suffering in the arena, did not seem, so far, to make his heart less tender to his own; and presently, as memory after memory of his lost brother, Herklas, rose before him, long sighs shook his close-knit figure from head to foot.

Herklas had been such a beautiful boy, and only six months in the toga virilis. which marked the Roman youth's coming into man's estate at fifteen. To be sure, he had never taken to the Olympic games, as had Hector, and had shrunk visibly from the often frightful spectacles which had been introduced into them since the Romans ruled; but he was no coward— he had proved that often enough in many an adventure of boyish daring and skill. It was only his instinctive good-heartedness that shrank from blows and bloodshed, not because he himself feared their hurt.

Then where could such a form be found in these degenerate days, outside the statues of the masters? Hector recalled him as he had lain at meat, the last morning he was with them. He had been full of his fun and nonsense, selecting choice bits from the platter for Salome, and laughing gayly as she eagerly received them. He had never been selfish, never sullen nor severe— this wellloved brother. But there had been times when his whole nature seemed to revolt against the license and wickedness of the age, and he had dared sometimes even to criticise the gods, and wonder at the tyranny of emperor, praetors, and priests. Could spies have listened and reported these words, and was he in durance because of them? Certainly there could be no truth in the suspicion of his master's that he had been led away by the obscure and singular sect they called Christians!

Hector turned himself nervously about, the old couch creaking beneath his tall, sinewy frame, and just then Salome's welcome face appeared, as she drew aside an inner curtain and announced supper. He rose with a quick motion, as if thrusting sad thoughts far from him, and strode into the next room, where a modest board was laid in the shape of a crescent, with a broad divan surrounding it, except at the opening, which gave room for the servant to enter and pass the dishes Inside the half circle. The brother and sister always ate together, for Hector loved and tenderly cherished his one female relative, who had indeed been half spoiled by her doting brothers.

By mutual consent the subject of the brother now gone for over a fortnight, was not resumed at first, nor that of the lost amulet. Instead, Hector told of a new throw he had been practicing at the gymnasium, and Salome grew cheerful chatting over a call from an old playmate not before seen for many moons. She had sketched in detail her looks, her dress, and all she said, when she suddenly broke off to cry:

" There! I know I had that amulet on when she came, for I saw it gleam on my neck as I glanced in the bit of steel mirror set into the wall of our vestibule when I hastened to admit her. Let me see!"

She buried her dimpled chin in her hand and thought a minute, then sprang to her feet. " I believe I have it! I followed dear Theta across the court to the very street entrance and peeped out through the wall gate, as we said farewell. Then I saw an escort of soldiers, with some of those gay courtiers from the Castle, coming close, and knew it was best not to let them see me, as I was

THE WBESTLEB OF PHILIPPI.

unveflecl, so I hastily shut the gate. And now I remember that I caught the silken tassel of my fillet in the latch, and had to jerk it away— perhaps it was then I dropped my charm. Come, Hector, if you have finished your supper let us go and see."

He rose good-naturedly. " If it fell outside it has been picked up long before this," he said, chewing complacently on his last date.

away the food, satisfying her own hunger with large mouthfuls as she did so.

Salome reached the wall door first, and shuffled her sandals with gay impatience on the smooth paving stones, as she awaited her brother's leisurely approach. Their little home was situated on one of the more quiet streets of Philippi, and this was unlighted, except by a pale thread of a moon,

Instantly Hector was upon them, and his arena training stood him in good stead.— See page 4.

"Yes, but it may be inside, you see, or caught in a cleft of the wall, or brushed into a corner. Bring a lantern, Persis, and let us try. If I can find it again I shall take it for a good omen."

The small iron censer, flat in shape and swung from three chains, was brought and lighted, Salome caught up a chlamys, or long wrap, tossed it picturesquely over her head, winding it about her chin and lips so that only the brow and eyes were visible, then crying impatiently, " Come!" started out first, Hector striding more slowly after, while Persis contented herself with clearing low in the western sky. With the deliberate movements peculiar to him Hector inserted a clumsy key into the lock of the small portal, turned it, and let one wooden leaf fall inward upon its hinges. Then the two passed through the aperture, and, lifting high the lantern, began a search for the amulet, so precious to this heathen girl.

Both bent low. Hector fairly on his knees, searching the crevices of the stone pavement, and Salome, doubled under the long folds of her drapery, peering along the clearrunning ditch of snow-water, brought from the mountains, which separated the sidewalk from the highway. They knew how unsafe were the streets at night in these lawless times, when the dissolute young oflSeers from the Castle sometimes chose to steal out, disguised and masked, in search of adventure, to say nothing of thieves and rioters of lesser rank, who dared the galleys and terrible dungeons to ply their vocation.

But what could happen so near home? A step would place them behind the wall and locked door of their own little castle, which no one would dare to Invade. So they continued to look about, oblivious of everything but their own exclamations and remarks, with which each spurred on the search.

Thus they failed to notice an outburst of song and laughter on a side street close by, or, perhaps, did not think it worth minding, and both were startled when suddenly at their very elbows appeared a tumultuous little crowd of well-mufHed men, one or two bearing lanterns, and the rest reeling about with noisy talk and laughter.

"Quick!" cried Hector. "Run, Salome, run!"

But already the rioters had caught sight of the slender, white-draped figure, and with a loud laugh one tall young fellow leaped into the open gateway, barring her passage, while two more sprang to her sides, intercepting her movements.

Instantly Hector was upon them, and his arena training stood him in good stead now. At every swing of his powerful arms some one fell back with a howl of pain, and almost while one could tell it the whole party had dispersed, hastened thereto by the cry of one of thg lantern-bearers:

"The bucket-men! The bucket-men!"

Breathing heavily. Hector looked about him. The crowd had melted like the dew, and Salome too was gone, having doubtless fled to the innermost recesses of the house.

Hector had no desire to be interviewed by the troublesome lictors, whom the populace called " men of the bucket " because they acted as a fire-patrol with tarred buckets of water in hand, as well as guardians of the streets. So he took advice of caution anil, slipping quickly inside, locked . his gate securely and hurried indoors, chuckling to think how surprised those young brawlers must have been to feel the weight of fists as hard as iron, and as heavy as a sledgehammer.

The house was dark and still. As he stepped within from the moonlit court it struck a chill to his senses.

"Salome!" he called softly. "Salome!" A frightened exclamation answered him, and the little slave girl, her eyes big with terror, confronted him.

"Oh!" she cried, "where is my mistress?" " But do you not know?" he returned quickly. " She is here, of course— she must be. She is hidden somewhere, too scared to speak. Salome, dear! I am here. Your brother protects you. Oh, Salome, for Vesta's sake answer!"

But only the bare walls echoed his despairing ci-y. He ran to and fro, calling, searching, beseeching, groaning, cursing. He sent the little slave hither and yon, fierce as he had never been with her before, in his terrible anxiety. -He ran to the roof, gazing out over the now silent street with great gasping breaths of despair. He sought in impossible nooks and crannies below, the tears gushing unashamed from his manly eyes, and then with a roar of rage and desperation, like a lion rushing upon its tormentors, he dashed out into the street, calling on the lictors for vengeance, utterly bereft of sense or caution.

Poor little Persis, frightened nearly out of her small wits, followed swiftly to the gate, and shook her head in perplexity as she slowly clanged it to behind him. Then throwing herself down in a dark corner of the wall, she crouched in a small heap, motionless with terror, and softly cried herself to sleep.

Chapter II. In An Upper Chamber

DURING this turbulent scene, so common in all pagan cities as to cause no more than a passing thought to those who, safely locked within their own home walls, gladly turned a deaf ear to the brawls and crimes without, there was another scene taking place, as unlike this as the still lake of the mountains is unlike the sea in the fury of a storm. In a small room dimly lighted by flaring pine-knots, was gathered a little company, possibly twenty in number, who were noticeable only for their quiet manners, plain dress, and serene and lofty expression.

They were of all ages above young childhood, and they entered by twos and threes, stealing noiselessly to the barred outer door, there to give a peculiar knock which quickly gained them entrance. A password was spoken in a whisper, that most common being the Greek word " Ikthus," signifying " fish." This, universally given as the sign of the faith among believers, had a significance dear to them all, for its Initials, taken in order, stood for " Jesus Christ, the Son ot God, the Savior." It immediately admitted them, this night, and once inside, a spirit of delightful cordiality and brotherhood seemed to prevail.

They clasped hands like friends who meet after perils passed, and the gentle words, " Peace be with you!" seemed a favorite greeting. There was little laughter, or loud merriment, but smiles, serenity, and peace, seemed to pervade the whole assembly. For, strangely enough, here the patrician, the freedman and the slave met upon terms of seeming equality, and addressed each other as " brother " and " sister." All this, too, in a haughty Macedonian city that, in imitation of great Rome, of which it was a colony, disdained the rest of the world as conquered slaves, drawing the lines of rank so sharply that men had been thrown into dungeons— yes, even executed— for daring to presume upon certain privileges at banquet or in council chamber, in a simple matter of food, dress, or ornament, arrogated by those of higher rank.

The meeting was well under way, a hymn had been sung and a prayer offered, such as had' never ascended to a heathen deity, when once more came the peculiar knock, this time louder, more imperative and startling than was customary.

The outer door having been opened, there was an unusual commotion in the small square vestibule, which caused the Presbyter, or leader, just beginning to address the assembly, to cease speaking and look intently that way. Every one's eyes followed his. In each face was expectation and something of anxiety, but neither fear nor cringing. They knew this might mean arrest, imprisonment, possibly death, for each and all, but they faced it steadily, as those who rest upon a Power stronger than their own.

The door opened wide and two women and a man entered, half leading, half carrying, the figure of another female, well muffled in white and apparently unconscious.

" Forgive our untimely interruption, brethren," said the man in deprecating tones, " but we found this woman lying in the deep angle of the doorway, and she seems badly hurt, or very ill. We cannot make her answer, so far, and she appears dazed and sick."

" Let the women care for her," said the Presbyter in tones that were instinctively commanding, though not with arrogance.

At once the women gathered about the figure, which had been laid on a divan, and putting back her chlamys, one said:

" Ah, but she is a girl only, and so fair!"

" Yes. and by her dress a modest one," put In another. " Poor child! how came she out at this hour?"

" See, she is hurt!" cried another, pointing to a swelling rising rapidly above the stranger's forehead. " She has had a heavy blow— there! her eyes are opening. Stand back a little and do not frighten her with so many strange faces."

Salome— for our readers have guessed it was she — did Indeed open her eyes and gaze about. At first her expression was wild and unnatural, but presently it became more rational and only wondering in quality.

" Did they kill me?" she asked in a weak voice. " Is this the Realm of Shades? and you— surely you are not the cruel Eumenldes come to harass me? You look too kind for that!"

" No, no, child! you are still upon earth and quite safe with those who mean you well," said one of the women who had assisted the girl in. " Are you feeling better now?"

" My head aches," raising her hand feebly to the swelled brow. " I remember— it was that blow! It must have knocked me senseless. Oh, did Hector get away? Were they too many for him? How he did fight! But I could not get Inside the gate, there were so many in my way. Where is Hector?"

The women looked at each other, and one with a peculiarly sweet face answered gently:

" He is not here just now. Who gave you the blow, fair maiden?"

" I do not know, lady. I ran down the narrow court close by our house to get away, and soon I heard footsteps which T thought were Hector's. I turned to speak, and something came crashing down upon my head— that is all I can recall about it."

" Who is Hector?" asked the dame again, as she tenderly bathed the wound, and bound it up with her own kerchief.

" My brother. We were looking for my lost amulet. Alas! it is as I said- the gods have given us over to destruction."

" No, my child. God has protected and

THE WBESTlER OF PHILIP PL spared you. You fell into the deep shadow of our doorway, where no one else could see you until our feet were guided hither by grace."

" But Hector?"

" He too will be cared for— fear not! Our God is ' mighty to save.' "

" You mean great Jupiter, because he is the protector of the Games? If only he will!"

" No, child, we mean— but wait! Her head is troubling her again. Let her rest."

For even with the words Salome's eyes took on a wild look and she was. soon tossing and muttering with fever. Finding she was to prove an all-night's care, at least, these kind Samaritans removed her to a pallet in a small room of the little house, and left one of their number to sit beside her, while the others reverently returned to the meeting. Here, quickly putting aside the interruption, they listened with rapture to the words of hope, comfort and encouragement spoken by their leader, and joined eagerly in- such prayers and hymns as seemed to bring heaven into the plain little room, hidden by its humbleness from outer violence.

It was the middle of the next forf noon before Salome came to herself once more. All night she had tossed in the grip of fever, tenderly soothed and cared for by the sweet-faced woman, who proved to be the occupant of the house, and who was called Elizabeth. She was a young matron of a gentle cast of countenance, yet one versed in faces might have read in the brow, well developed above the eyes, and in the lips and chin, fine-grained but firm, a power of endurance and a force of will which the singularly quiet ways and speech scarce hinted at. The first impression she gave was entirely restful. In her eyes was a peace passing comprehension, Salome thought, as she curiously watched her, and she wondered what could give her that supreme content, for she was evidently very poor, and her garments were such as the pretty Greek girl would have scorned to wear. Besides, her pallor showed she was not well, and her husband seemed a gruff, silent man who spoke roughly, if at all.

Salome from her pallet watched every gentle movement and puzzled much to learn why, through all that was hard and trying, she seemed still to hug some secret consciousness of joy so close that no mere outward happening could affect it in the least.

" Perhaps," thought the little pagan after she had lain for an hour or two thus questioning, " pferhaps ehe has received an oracle from the Priest of Apollo at the temple. Perhaps she feels sure that, no matter what may happen just now, she will have good fortune later on, and so bides her time, and scarcely knows anything is wrong. It looks that way. Ah! I was happy till I lost my amulet — that is," as memory came fully back, "I was as happy as people usually are in this world. Of course I wanted to be rich and noble, and it was a great trial to have to walk instead of being carried in a litter through the streets, but— I had my brothers."

She drew a long sigh, and Elizabeth came quickly to her side.

" You are weary?" she asked with her placid smile. " Shall I talk to you?"

" Please tell me about yourself, dear lady. I wonder about you as I lie here, and that tires me."

Elizabeth laughed brightly. " There is so little to tell! You have guessed from my dress that I am a Jewish woman, and I am proud to say I was born in our beautiful city— Jerusalem. But my husband, Junius, is a Roman, free born."

" Indeed?" questioned Salome with wonder, for the marriage of a free-born Roman to a Jew was extremely rare. Her hostess smiled a little and asked with gentle iroijy:

" Do you think that so unlikely? Yet why not, Salome? There is neither Jew, nor Greek, nor Roman either, in the sight of God— all are equal and his children." At which the girl, still too weak to argue, only stared dumbly, amazed at such strange ideas.

" But," thought she, " those Jews are all queer. I have even heard they claim to have a special god, who leads and cares for them. I suppose, too, they really were rich and powerful once, but now what miserable creatures they are!"

For, though one of an enslaved nation herself, being a conquered Thracian, Salome looked down upon the universally hated Jew. Yet this was only as a class; in individual cases she often liked and even honored them. So now she listened to Elizabeth, thinking how sweet her smile and soft her voice, until sleep closed her eyes in rest, which did much to restore her to perfect health.

Seeing how very weak she still was, her hostess left her to slumber and stepped out-

THE WRESTLES OF PHILIPPI.

side into the narrow court of the humble dwelling. Here she called softly, "Nadab! Nadab!" and presently a little boy, who so closely resembled the fair Jewess that no one could have mistalsen their relationship, came bounding in from the street.

"Well, mother?" he asked in a voice full of loving respect, " what is it you need me for now?"

" I will tell you, my son; but first, did you wet up the flags as I bade you?"

" Yes, mother."

" That is right. And now I want you to go to the second street south, and look along its length until you come to a low house close by a narrow walled court, and upon the corner of a paved and covered footway leading east. Inquire there for a man named Hector, and when he is found tell him his sister is here and safe, though ill, and that he may come and see her, if he please."

" Very well, mother." Then in a whisper, " But is she a Christian?" and he nodded his head toward the house to indicate the guest of a night.

" No, Nadab, she is a pagan."

" But, mother, why then—"

" My boy, have you not yet learned the true spirit of Christ? Does he make any distinction in his love and succor? Is not our great Paul, whom we are soon expecting here, constantly showing this to us in all his teachings? Surely, Nadab, you know this."

" Yes, yes, I was not meaning just that. I was thinking of — of our safety, mother."

" We can leave that with Jesus, child," she answered with a smile that made her pale face radiant.

The boy looked at her with a little wonder and much admiration in his eyes. Then he gave his head a wise shake.

" But father?" he asked' archly.

Elizabeth's uplifted countenance clouded swiftly over for an instant, then as swiftly cleared.

'" Let us trust he will be glad to have us do the right thing, Nadab— and until he speaks we will take his consent for granted. Now run along, my son, and raise no more objections, I beg."

Her sweet smile softened the reproof, and he waved his hand gayly to her as he started briskly off upon his errand. But his mother, left alone, stood a moment in thoughtful silence, then bent her head and clasped her hands. She was asking help for needs which only she and her God could understand. In a moment, cheered and strengthened, she turned away, sought out from a little shed at the rear of the court a large bunch of flags, and seating herself on the stone pavement, was soon busily employed weaving them into a basket.

It was not a great while before Nadab returned, looking flushed from his run in the blazing sunshine. As soon as he could catch his breath he burst out with a long story. He had been everywhere in the near vicinity without finding any trace of the man, for the little house she had told him of was evidently deserted. He had knocked loud and long without making any one hear, and when some of the neighbors appeared, to ask what he wanted, they had told him that not one of the family had been seen this morning. One of these, who had been wakeful last night, believed that Hector had been dragged ofE by the " bucket-men " to prison, and that Salome and her little maid had fled to some friends in another part of the city.

Vnd did you let them know where she really is?" asked Elizabeth quickly.

Nao ib looked at her with a merry expression ->n his face. " Do you thinli I am so foolisli?" he laughed. " No, I told them nothing."

" It was not necessary," responded the mother with dignity. " Though we must always be ' harmless as doves,' so must we be ' wise as serpents ' also, in these hard times. We will do our best for the poor heathen girl, but we cannot let her friends know all the secrets of our home. Well, what next?"

" I had just finished talking with the man and was turning away to come home, he having gone inside, when a big boy with a splendid face and figure came swinging do\^n the street. He passed me by and, as I looked back after him, I saw that he, top, had gone to the little wall gate, and was knocking as if he fully expected to get in. Finding nobody came, he stepped back and looked the house all over with surprise, then knocked again, this time in an odd waythree raps, a rest— two more, a rest— then one. But no one came. After a little he began walking slowly towards me, still looking back as if he could not give it up. I thought this might be the one I was looking for, as he was a well-grown youth, so I stepped up to him and asked, ' Is your name Hector?' He looked at me in a queer way for a minute, then said, ' No; why do you ask me that?' But you have taught me