=342. Mounted Combats: the Signals for Ruthlessness and Mercy.=--The surviving charioteer disappears amid plaudits. In his place ride out four horsemen; and two mounted duels can thus take place at either side of the arena. One pair contend evenly and stoutly, but the other contest soon ends--the less skilful rider is dashed from his seat by his opponent’s sword, and is so hurt he can barely lift himself upon the sands. The victor leaps down and stands over him waving his reddened blade, while his disarmed victim in sheer helplessness raises the right hand, the fist clinched except for one upraised finger--the demand for “Mercy!” [Illustration: DEFEATED GLADIATOR APPEALING FOR MERCY: spectators, with Vestal Virgins in front seats, turning “thumbs down.”] The conqueror obsequiously looks toward his employer Cluentius upon the podium, and the Prætor, bound to be gracious to the populace, motions somewhat inquiringly toward the spectators--let them decide! If the defeated gladiator had fought more gamely and had striven to rise and renew the fight, possibly enough white handkerchiefs--the token of mercy--would have been waved to warrant the editor in flourishing his own also;--but the fellow had collapsed too easily and the mood of the crowd demanded blood. “_Occide! Occide!_” “Kill! Kill!” is the yell; and thousands of thumbs are ruthlessly pointed downward. Cluentius’s own thumb is pointed down likewise. The victor raises his weapon and without scruple plunges it in the breast of the vanquished, who sustains the honor of his profession by receiving the mortal blow without flinching. Again the Charon enters with his hook and clears the arena. In the interval the other mounted duelists, cool and experienced warriors, have partly suspended their combat and now they profit through their comrade’s death by the umpiring lanista’s declaration of a draw. The people are sated for an instant and Cluentius nods approval as the two ride out; he is inwardly glad to spare them, because the owners of dead gladiators have to be indemnified. =343. Combats between Netters (_Retiarii_) and Heavy-Armed Warriors (Thracians).=--So combat follows combat, while the sands grow red and one warrior falls simply by slipping upon the gore. The suffocating fumes of blood rise through the bars of sunlight under the great awning. The people grow more and more excited. There will be hundreds of beggars to-night in Rome on account of the reckless wagering.