An Ancient Episode

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 24 (Supplement)

An Ancient Episode

My story takes me to Copian, wonder city of Northern Africa, which was said to be the counterpart of Fompeii, the ancient city of southern Italy. This city was just at the hoight of its glory when my story opens. The gaily clad crowd hurried to ant|| fro in the wide streets. In the harvest time, figs and dates were gathered, whilst •warms of wasps and hornets armed with formidable stings sucked the sugary Juices of the ripe fruit. Birds fluttered lazily among the trees, and native laboarers of many races cut down the grape clusters with sharp, sickle-shaped copper knivea. Frizzy haired negroes In clean, white clothes piled up the gathered fruit into tall baskets woven from reeds. Other natives clad in linen tunics kept account of tha laden baskets which were being hurried to the wine presses. In the streets acrobats, comic-singers and sellers of sweet drinks and confectionery mingled with jesters and fortune teller*. In the market* trade flourished, and representatives of almost all the rich countries of the Ease were Jostled in the crowd. Here and there slaves staggered under their eratea and bales, some with heavy anklet* soldered on to their legs. Besides trades and industries, the Copianiana had their pleasure diversions, and built on tjfe pattern of Roman architecture was their amphitheatre or arena. There, sports such as wrestling, racing, jumping and chariot racing was indulged in on festal days. At that time their favourite charioteer was one Cartus, a strong, blond giant. Hia horses were famous for their speed and grace, and it was a well known fact that Maxuis, a little-known performer had challenged him to a contest on feast day of Juno. Maxuis was a well proportioned youth of about twenty summers, light and active on his feet, and possessed of undoubted good looks. Little was known as regarded his steeds, and it was whispered that perhaps he was too ventureBorne in accepting the challenge of the mighty Cartus. This ia how tha challenge had come about. Cartus had the habit of Btrollingdown the fashionable Street of the Winds, where his residency was qituated, and indulging in a glass or two of his favourLate in the afternoon bedecked in the finery that had rewarded his powess in the arena, and surrounded f>y admirers, he would recount talcs of hi* various feats. It so happened that Maxuis was hurrying down this particu-lar-street, and without noticing him ha2fr£bumped his shoulder. Cartus had takfih a cup or two more than he usually did/ and turned and demanded an apology. Maxuis was hot tempered and retailed, saying that it was an accident. Tlien Cartus said, "Dost know who I am}? 'CjCes," replied Maxui*, "a bibber." dprtus turned purple with anger. "I am Partus the charioteer," he choked out furiously, "hast thou not heard of me, my little-bird-with-a-loud-voiceT" Maxuis stepped back a pace then and with a cold, calculating air he said, "Ah! so thou art the groat Cartus. Well, seeing that thou art Cartus, I Maxuis, this day challenge you to'a chariot race in the arena on the feast day of Juno." "As thou art so sure of thyself, my little bird, I will accept your challenge," replied Cartus, and departed amidst the chattering throng. The news soon spread like wildfire, and within a few days most of the inhabitants of Copian kriew of the challenge. All his friends tried to persuade Maxuis to give up his wild idea, and apologise to Cartus, but he stubbornly refused, saying that he was determined to defeat, Cartus in the ring. His horses were small, white Arabians, stocky but with great stamina. He. fed, groomed and trained them himself, and they followed him about like pet dog*. Unlike moi£ charioteer* of those days.he never called a whip, but urged his horses witt his voice. His chariot was light, bug constructed of a vary hard wood. an|r the wheels and axle* wer s eoated win copper. Cartus had imported from Belgium 1 * dozen fine horses and bred his lacing stock from these, and they were

By M. HAINES, 27, Wynyard Street Auckland. acknowledged to be the finest horses in Copian. His chariot was a heavy, massive affair, the wheels being made of solid bronze. The days sped fast and the great day came. It was a fine, hot, sunny day, typical of Copian, and both camps were hives of activity. At Cartus* stables, ebony-skinned slaves were busy polishing the pieces of copper, bronze and various other metals that were inlaid in the gorgeous trappings of the horses, which glittered and flashed when the sun caught them. In the stables themselves groom* were attending to the high-spirited horses, who, instinctively knowing that something was going to happen, were very restless. From Oartus' private apartment* sounds of music and laughter filtered through the windows. The entrance to hia private chamber* waa very impressive. On either side of the doorway two great pillars rose to eupport the balcony above. The doorway itself waa ooverad with heavy red velvet which fell in voluminous fold* to the floor. Inside the door one beheld magnificence to rival any Eastern prince. The walls were painted with various scenes in Cartus' life and the ceiling ws* domed, the centre being about 60ft from the ground. The floor was of delicate shaded mosaic, while in the centre a fountain splashed. About the room, in careless confusion, rugs, cushion* and divans were strewn. At the far end, in a sheltered alcove, an orchestra played. Deferential servants hurried among the guests with refreshment*. The guest* comprised some of the moat well-known people in Copian who had visited Cartus to wish him luck. The centre of this gathering was Cartus, proudly boasting at every opportunity of his fine horses, and most of all of his own superb driving. Who could be the winner but be, and so it went on until the afternoon. All that day the gay, laughing, oarefree Copians hurried along the streets, tha young girls laden with garlands and wreathe of flowers to reward the triumphant, and the men seriously talking over their choice for the day's aport, much the same as they do to-day. In Maxuis' home, in contrast to that of Cartus, no such scenes took place. An old servant polished Maxuis' horses' harness, while Maxuis was grooming his steeds. No palace of splendour had Maxuis—just a simple little home in the poorer section on the outskirts of Copian. Maxuis called the servant to bring the harness and put it on while he held the horse*' heads. Then he went to dress for the race. When he came down again he found the horses all ready, but inspected everything to make sure that it waa quite secure, then he drove to tha arena. Cartus arrived first and rode into the arena. A fanfare of trumpet* greeted him, and a burst of cheering arose from the great assembly. He drove to the starting post and waited there, proudly gazing at the crowd. After a few minutes Maxuis arrived, but no fanfare greeted him, no dazzling display of colours, and hardly a sign of welcome from the audience seated on the great stone benches. He rode to the starting post next to Cartus, who stood looking at him scornfully. Then every eye turned to th£ stats box, where the representative of the governor stood, holding the flag in his hand. A silence of expectancy fell on the crowd. Then down it fell. With a roar from the crowd the two chariots left t-lie line abreast and the race was on.- The course was three times round the arena, the circuit being about two mile*. Cartus had the inside position and had the advantage over his young opponent. Gradually Cartus drew ahead until he was a length ahead of Maxuis. Slowly the distance increased until it was two lengths. Most of the spectators felt *ur* that Cartus had

almost as good a* won the race, but before long they began to doubt. With the second lap eoming to a close there was still no difference. Cartus cracked his whip and shouted at his animals, hut he could get no more speed from them. Maxuis, on the other hand, was cool and collected, just now and then, "Good Fabuis" or "Keep thy pace, Augustine." Now, aa they started the third time around, Maxuia began to creep up on hia opponent. Maxuis began tp urge his horsea with hia rote*. They redoubled their effort* and the distance rapidly deereasod between the two teams. Slowly Manila began ta pass Oartua. The crowd's excitement grew to a frenay. Women jumped on the aeata, screaming, and man shouted until their throata were aora. Then with a brilliant finish Maxui* swept past the poet, a winner by a few yarft. Maxuis waited just past the poet and Cartus passed the poet, * few second* later. Intend of congratulating Maxuia on his fine victory, he sulked out of the , arena and the next day he left the city with hie whole household. Maxuis went round the arena bowing ta the crowd, while garland! of flower* and money dropped all around hi* chariot, then he 400, left the arena. He beeame-a well-known charioteer and was known as Maxuw the Generous for hi* way of giving money to the poor of the eity. Money and riches were showered on him and he became a great power in the eity and surrounding country. Now, yon are expecting me to say that he fell in lore with a beautiful damsel, married her and they lived happily ever after. Well! Fat not! Because I woke up.