The Nemesis : A Tale Of The Days Of Trajan.

" Profoundly answered , " said Adrian , a smile displaying slightly his teeth , " but in what does this courage lie ? Lies it iu the broAv , in the leg , in the arm , or in the heart ? Can you buy it , borroAV it , sell or lend it ? What is its shade , its

texture , or its Avorth ? Whence does it spring , on what does it feed , how does it die ? Lycus canst thou tell me ?" Lycus shrugged his shoulders in contempt of such questions , ancl turning his attention to the

thicket behind which the dogs Avere fiercely baying , said -. " Thou art a talker , Adrian . To my poor understanding courage is but courage , and requires no further ansAver . "

Adrian smiled at this reply , and Avlnspered to Caius , "Lycus is a valourous gentleman , Avho would not fear a rushing boar , nor the serried line of battle , bat Avhose every drop of blood would quake and chill upon its shore , if in the darkness

of the night , a falling leaf , or Availing wind , should break in and disturb his repose . Brave is he in the front and glorious smile of day , but the dark froAvn of sable night , and the shadowy forms of the gloom would shake him as the Pontine reeds

tremble in the stern grasp of Boreas . Caius , this is not courage , but unmastered strength . " " Let loose these other dogs , " shouted Lycus " see the thicket shakes ; by the gods the boar SIIOAVS a gallant front . How Barba howls . Marcellus , your mastiff IIOAV knows a wild boar's teeth marks . "

" Dost thou not feel timid Adrian , asked Caius ?" " Wherefore should I ? " - " At this scene so neAv to you . " Adrian smiled as he thought of his trial in

Egypt ,, and replied : "It is not a scene like this that could daunt me . My nerves are good , although my warfare has beei \ study , aud my chase knowledge , my weapons books . But see here comes at length the boar . A lordly animal .

Look how the foam churns round each gleaming tusk , like the froth of the ocean upon the sands of the Baiae . With what a proud contempt he scorns these yelping curs , as if they Avere so many pebbles beneath his feet . "

As he spoke the boar dashed forth from the thicket , fire flashing from his eyes , Avhile rage seemed to erect every bristle upon his shaggy hide . For a moment he paused , shook the dogs off him , and eyed the hunters . He was an old

boar , and the best subject for hunting , for the oldest do not run far , and often stop to fight with the dogs ; the young on the ether hand run to a great distance , ancl never permit the clogs to approach them . As die boar leaves a strong odour

behind him , and does not run very fast , the Romans were in the custom of using trained mastiffs , strong poAverful animals for the chase . When hunted with horses , the huntsman , Avhen the dogs Avere in full chase , could ride into the

centre of them , and charging the boar Avith the spear , impede and dishearten him . The boar having eyed the band of hunters , as if inclined to turn upon them , trotted aAA ay up a gorge folloAvecl by the dogs . He often turned and

charged them , and killed tAvo or three . At length he Avas stopped by a rock , and turned at bay . Lycus levelling a spear , rushed in to slay it , but the boar turning aside , seized the Avood staff and crunched it betAveen its . teeth . Lycus , carried aAvay by the impetus fell to the ground almost close to the boar .

" Rush in upon him all of you , " cried Caius , in turn levelling a spear , but Adrian , catching him by the arm , caught it out of his hand . " Back , all of you , " he cried , " the boar and I must have a tussle for the mastery , " and ere

anyone could interfere , he levelled the spear , and sprang in upon the brute . Right deftly Avas the bloAV given , the spear head entered between the eyes , and the boar fell to the ground dead . Adrian lifted up Lycus .

" Not hurt , Lycus ?" "No , fairly shaken , but no hurt . A good stroke that of yours , " he added coolly , looking at the dead boar , " a better never AAMS given . In

time , too , for the brute had mischief m his eye , and was turning to drive a tnsk into my side Avhen you sent him to Hodes . Thanks , Adrian , and though my manner be short , believe me , I ani grateful . "

" No thanks , Lycus , the tie AA'hich exists betAveen us may excuse that , " answered Adrian , taking hold of a small gold chain Avhich hung around the hunter's neck , and at the same time displaying a similar one about his OAVAI . It Avas

the badge of a society of Stoics , to Avhich both of them belonged , but of this anon . A tear dimmed the eye of Lycus , as—someAvhat to the surprise of the hunters , Avho Avere unacquainted Avith the meaning of the last spoken Avords , and did not understand the mystery of the chains—he threAV