The Wrestler of Philippi; A Tale of the Early Christians

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1914. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... upon the surface. He could fight like a tiger, but in this courtly atmosphere he was weak and cowardly where he should have been strong, effeminate where he should have been bold and manly, silent where he should have spoken out in thunder tones. All these things the Greek felt keenly, and they often made his easy life a burden of discontent and self-disgust. No, sire; I was thinking--one does sometimes, you know, Ere long he had so completely won the confidence of his master that he was given the honorable post of special knight to the women of the household, whenever they went abroad. At the head of from two to four guards he attended their chariot, or basterna, and in this office the faces of Pamphylia and Julia soon became familiar to him. The first-named was a dignified, gray-haired matron with dark, sad eyes, but a beautiful smile, and her voice was plaintively sweet. She was always gentle, and it was evident that the gay, bright Julia, the bride of a year, loved her well. They were constantly together, and usually accompanied by Julia's nurse, a little woman full of chatter, and Pamphylia's companion. This latter was a young captive maid from Gaul, slender, dark-eyed and agile, with the grace and also the timidity of a fawn. Something about her vaguely suggested Salome to 'Hector, and this made him watch her more closely than he might otherwise have done, and as he soon became a great favorite with all the ladies, he often found opportunity to exchange a word or two with her. One day, after a boxing contest with his lord, which had been unusually exhausting, Aulus threw himself, panting, upon the couch and, after watching Hector, still fresh and fullwinded, for a long minute, said: Well, my boy, that was pretty well! Dost note how much stronger...