HORATIUS AT THE BRIDGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

HORATIUS AT THE BRIDGE.

Long years ago, only, one wooden bridge spanned the Tiber, and. on this bridge Horatius, a Roman soldiei, played a° part that will never be forgotten. News bad reached Rome that the Tuscan army., was approaching, and an order was given to cut down the bridge that the Tuscans might not penetrate into Rome. But so rapidly did the enemy march that the great army was in sight before the bridge could be destroyed. While the soldiers strove to cut through the tough wood, Horatius sprana forward, and offered to hold the other° end of the bridge if two men would help him. Immediately afteiwards, he and two of his friends took up their stand on the end of the bridge facing the enemy. The Tuscans were as brave as the Romans, and three men rushed forward to meet the three on the bridge. When they fell, three others took their place and the terrible fight continued. . Suddenly the bridge cracked, and the soldiers cried to Horatius to come back. His two friends heard the warning and fled over the unsteady bridge, but Horatius kept on fighting till the bridge gave way and he was flung into the Tiber. Then a great cry went up from his friends and his enemies, as the armies on either side of the river watched to see what would .become of so brave a soldier. , Hampered by his heavy armour, and much wounded, Horatius sank. But he rose to the surface of the water, still his spear, and swam to the bank where his companions dragged, him to dry land. And not one spear did the luscans aim at Horatius, nor did they continue fighting till he was carried to safety!