"Ah, only the Romans knew how to live; our bear-like ancestors, at the utmost, only how to die. Do you suppose I have studied merely the _verses_ of the Romans? No, I boast of vying with them in their customs. Speak, Gundomar; shall we fear King Gelimer?" "We Vandal nobles will allow ourselves to be denied nothing that gives us pleasure. Let him try to keep us away from here!" "And at my brother's wedding an exception is permitted, nay, required. So I will feast your eyes with old Roman 'hunts' and old Roman gladiatorial combats." Roars of applause greeted this announcement. Thrasabad disappeared to give his orders. "It is easy to say where he obtained the animals," remarked Gundomar. "Africa is their breeding-ground. But the gladiators?" "He told me the secret," replied Modigisel. "Some are slaves; some are Moors captured in the last expedition. The white sand of the arena will soon be stained crimson." "How I shall rejoice!" panted Astarte, who rarely spoke. Modigisel looked at her with an expression almost of horror. "Gladiators!" cried Thrasaric, wrathfully. "Eugenia, do you want to go away?" "I will shut my eyes--and stay. Only let me remain with you! Do not send me from you--I beseech!" The roll of drums was heard, and a cry of astonishment from thousands of voices filled the Amphitheatre. The arena suddenly divided, moving to the right and left, in two semi-circles which, drawn sideways, disappeared in the walls. Twenty feet below, a second space, covered with sand, appeared, and over this poured from every direction, foaming and dashing, a flood of seething water. The bottom was swiftly transformed into a lake. Then two wide gateways at the right and left opened, and toward each other swept, fully manned and equipped for battle, two stately war-ships with lofty masts. These vessels, it is true, carried no sails, for there was no wind in the walled enclosure, but they were supplied with archers and slingers. "Aha! a naumachia! A naval battle! Capital! Glorious!" shouted the spectators. "Look, a Byzantine trireme!" "And a Vandal corsair ship! How the scarlet flag glows!" "And above it, at the mast-head, the golden dragon." "The Vandal is attacking! Where are the rowers?" "Out of sight. They are working under the deck. But above--look, in front, on the prow, stand the crew with spears and axes uplifted!" "See, the Byzantine is going to ram. He is dashing forward with tremendous force." "Look at the sharp spur close to the water line!" "But the Vandal is turning swiftly. The ship has escaped the shock. Now the spears are flying." "There! A Roman falls on the deck. He doesn't stir." "A second is flung overboard. He is still swimming--" "He is throwing his arms out of the water--" "There he sinks." "The water around him is stained with blood," said Astarte, bending eagerly forward. "Let me go! oh, let me go, and come with me!" pleaded Eugenia. "Child, not now; you must stay now. I must see this," replied Thrasaric.