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VOL- 11.
The Gathering Home.
They are gathering homeward from every land,
One by one,
As their weary feet touch the shining strand,
One by one,
Their brows are enclosed in a golden crown.
Their travel-stained garments are all laid down,
And clothed in white garments they rest on the mead,
Where the Lamb doth love his chosen to lead,
One by one.
Before they rest they pass through the strife,
One by one ;
Through the waters of death they enter life,
One by one
To some are the floods of the river still,
As they ford on their way to the heavenly hill ;
To others the waves run fiercely and wild,
Vet they reach the home of theundeliled,
One by one.
We, too, shall come to the river side.
One by one.
We are nearer its waters each eventide,
One by one.
We can hear the noise and dash of the stream
Now, and again, through our life’s deep dream ;
Sometimes the floods all the banks overflow,
Sometimes in ripples and small waves go,
One by one.
Jesus, Redeemer, we look unto Thee,
One by one.
We lift up our voices tremblingly,
One by one.
The waves of the river are dark and cold,
We know not the place where onr feet may hold,
Thou who didst pass through in deep midnight,
Strengthen us, send us the staff and the light,
One by one.
Plant Thou Thy feet beside as we tread,
One by one.
Ou Thee let us lean each drooping head,
One by one.
Lot but Thy strong arm around us be twined,
We shall cast our fears and cares to the wind,
Saviour, Redeemer, with Thee full in view,
Smilingly, gladsomely, shall we pass through,
Oue by one.
For the Banner of the South.
THiLAST DAYS OF CARTHAGE;
OR
A SISTER OF FABIOLA.
AFTER THE MANNER OF THE FRENCH.
[continued]
CHATTER XI.
THE SEDITION.
It was far advanced in the night. The
sky was shrouded in impenetrable dark
ness, and the violence of the wind indi
cated the approach of a storm. The sol
diers of Jarbas had been under arms
the whole day and were now reposing
tranquilly in their tents. There were
sentinels placed in different places round
the encampment, but it was impossible
to hear their measured tread from the
growling* of the tempest.
There was an old soldier who slept not
that night. A feeble light shone in his
tent. He walked to and fro and his
nervous gait and anxious gaze would
lead one to suppose that something im
portant filled his mind and gave him
trouble. There was a sand glass on the
table and this he watched from time to
time with feverish impatience. Occa
sionally lio would remove the canvass
vdiich served as a door and would look
out and listen in order io catch the
slightest noise.
' H hat could have happened to him?”
he said to himself. “Has he lost his
wa y in the woods or on the sands of the
oesei t ? Has some assissin put an end
to his days ? Perhaps he has betrayed
Ine ; he wretch! for a piece of gold he
wifi stop at nothing. Nothing too base
'[‘too villainous for him to perform so
on t? as the reward is that false glittering
metal!
'just at this moment the door opened
a “ . *^‘ cr entered noiselessly, all covered
' vlUl sweat and dust,
hat kept thee? Thou oughtest to
‘ a> <‘been here long ago. But, tell me,
i ; ust thou seen the Chief of the Numidi
• How did he receive my message ?
I reservedly, I must say, at first.
dnc y though that I went the right
yy a bout it. But the savage took me
‘‘ a s Py and accused me of having ecuii
1 examine the strength of his forces and
1:,! ‘ position of his army. He would
' tuicei y listen to me. He caused me to
‘‘uown mto irons and to be tortured
“• (, rtler to extort by violence a confes
:l ( * what I was aud all I knew.
Happily, I had nothing to conceal, and
if I had, I would have told all to escaDe
A
from that horribie place. What a bar
barian he is—the Chief of the Numidi
ans! By the gods, my bones are all out
of joint! If I recover the use of iny
legs, it is all I can aspire to after that in
fernal excursion !”
“How didst thou get back to the
camp?” inquired Sylvain, half angry
and half amused at the final issue of the
scheme. “Didst thou return on foot ?”
“By order of the General, one of the
barbarian horsemen took me behind him
on the saddle and left me within a mile
of the camp. I could not get him any
farther. He was afraid, 1 imagine, that
he might afterwards have reason to sup
pose he had caught a tartar. I had used
all the force of my eloquence upon him to
persuade him to approach somewhat near
er and I do not know how long I might
have continued exhausting myself in the
beauties of our language, if I had not
suddenly* found out that he dik not un
derstand a word! I then had to have re
course to signs and gave him an occa
sional pinch, but the romantic grenadier
was inflexible and threatened to pitch me
off, if I did not descend gently and grace
fully like a cavalier. I did so, and after
dragging myself along against darkness
and a rugged road, 1 have at last ar
rived; may 7 the immortal gods be praised
for ever and ever !”
“Well, well, that is all very 7 good, but
will he profit by the plan we have laid
out for him ? Will he come to-morrow
at the head of his cavalry so that he may
arrive just at the rising in the camp?
Afer, we cannot do without his aid. I
know the dispositions of the army.
Many will take the side of Jarbas. 1
have every hope of success, but one in
dispensable element is the confusion
among our soldiers which the sudden
assault of their cavalry will occasion.
“When the tiger of a man, continued
Afer, saw 7 that I persisted in what I had
said at first, notwithstanding the horrible
torture they put me to, he changed his
tone and listened to me attentively in all
I had to say. After some moments re
flection he said he would give me an
answer the next day?”
“And that answer, what is it ?”
He will come with all his cavalry,
which is composed of barbarians whose
savage grin and outlandish dress would
frighten the whole army of Carthage, at
least if I can judge from the fellows into
whose company I was accidently thrown.
To-morrow at the hour when the sun has
reached mid-heaven, he will issue forth
from the forest and fall like an avalanche
upon our intrenchments. The impetuos
ity of these Numidian cavaliers is irie
sistible, for their horses fly though space
without leaving the impress of their feet
upon the sand.”
“Good ! good! The immortal gods
arc for us, Afer. To-morrow, then, my
dagger shall have done its work; Jarbas
shall die and the wicked Vivia shall
mourn in the garment of a widow! But,
Afey, go and rest thyself. Thou art
wearied faithful servant, and a little
quiet and repose after such a long and
perilous journey will add new strength
to thy 7 heart and nerve to thy arm. So,
here, lie down and sleep.
Afer was soon in :i slumber for the de
gree of anxiety which oppressed his mind
in the day, was not quite so great as to
disturb him in the night with fitful dreams
or spectral illusions. As for Sylvain,
sleep existed not for him. He must be
up and doing. There were several yet
to whom lie wished to speak, and prepare
them for the approaching outbreak.
There were instructions to give—the plan
of attack to be more maturely consider
ed—various exigencies to comply with,
and many difficulties to overcome. But
the mirage of success was on his track
and the weather beaten, wrinkled visage
ot the freed man assumed the expression
ot a savage scowl. He was nothing
daunted. He was sure the gods had
AUGUSTA, GA, MAIY 1, 1869.
given him some token of their friendship
and their assistance was omnipotent. But
‘still the affair was precarious and difficult,
and it was necessary that all the faculties
of his mind should co operate in bringing
matters to a scucessful issue.
“Not a word, Afer, or all may be lost,”
he said in going out of *he tent, The
slave said nothing, but smiled at the use
less suggestion.
The storm had increased. The thun
der bellowed like if the heavens had
opened, and the lightning flashed as if
they were all on fire, it was a night
most favorable for Sylvain, who was occu
pied in fixing the preliminaries and
drawing out the scheme of operation.
The morning came, ho* 'ever, and the
clouds disappeared. The rtorm was over.
The sun arose and its ra) shot brilliant
ly through the pure and tranquil atmos
phere The soldiers had risen and were
sauntering to and fro, enCying such de
lightful weather after the severity of the
night. A false alarm had been given in
the camp some days before, and the de
tails, somewhat ridiculous, formed the
subject of consultation. Many jokes
were passed, and the laughter was uni
versal. But, suddenty, arguments of a
seditious nature succeeded to this peace
ful topic, and in a short time murmurs
and recriminations rent the air, repre
senting in miniature the storm of the ele
ments. Minds were exasperated and
driven to a pitch of fury Some, yield
ing to the foul impulse of* their enthusi
asm, drew forth their weapous and bran
dished them defiantly in the air; others,
again, stamped their feet with rage, and
gave vent to their anger in blasphemies
and curses. All occurred suddenly, as if
by magic “ Why not light the enemy
at once ? The voice of our country de
mands it! The interests of our wives
and children demand it !” cried numbers
inpi state of desperation, and running
backward and forwards as if to incite the
camp to rise in arms.
“ Are our bones to bleach this moun
tain soil while our glory is tarnished by
this life of idleness and misery ?”
“ Ah, misery !” cried one; “what does
our young General care for that, so long
as he is comfortable in his luxurious
tent ?”
“ Yes! You are right,” cried out an
other; “what docs he care for active life
when he can pass his time in games
which are only 7 fit for women ?”
The discontent became louder and
louder, and spread rapidly on every side.
The most furious arguments were main
tained between the malcontents and those
who were inclined to defend the General.
The evil had now assumed alarming pro
portions, and had reached its climax.
“ The traitor !” “Down with the traitor!”
was heard in every 7 quarter, mingled
with savage replies of “It is a lie ! a
calumny!” and the different parties
would have come to blows, had not Syl
vain interposed, and made a sign of his
hand to beg them to desist and keep
silence while he spoke. It was some
time before order was restoied.
“ Soldiers!” he began, in a loud and
solemn voice, “he who betrays his re
ligion betrays his country.”
“Well said! True! True!” came
from several voices, whose enthusiasm
could not be restrained.
“Who says that our chief has betrayed
his religion ? It is an accusation of a
serious character, and one that must be
proved. For, if it is true, then is lie the
enemy of his followers, of your wives and
families; of the Senate that raised him to
the dignity of General, and, in line, the
enemy of his country ! Some of you
have said that he was a Christian. Grave
charge, indeed ! for in it is included
treason to the State and treason to you.
Let us act with justice, and not condemn
him before we have proved him guilty 7 .
It is true, that his sentiments, which he
has expressed on several occasions as well
as the general tenor of bis conduct, would
prove at least a tendency to that impious
sect. He never assists at our sacrifices,
he is guarded by 7 Christian soldiers only.
But let us go upon surer grounds, in
order that our verdict may be based upon
the eternal principles of justice. Valiant
warriors ! listen to me, the inspired iroin
on high. The gods of Carthage are an
gry. Their altars are nearly abandoned,
and scarcely are they ever wet with the
blood of animals. A religion, new, im
pious, and abominable, has appeared,
and is weakening the stronghold of Pa
ganism. The gods, from whom nothing
is concealed, have seen all this, and have
appeared to me in sleep, bidding me re
pair to this camp, and offer a sacrifice
of propitiation. They appeared to me
in all the majesty of their celestial rage,
and bade me banish all traitors from this
place, “otherwise we should be abandoned
by the god of war. Let us then appease
them, for, if we remain inactive, instead
of victory 7 and green laurels to deck our
brow, the sand upon which you tread at
this moment will become your grave.
Follow me then to your chief, and sur
round me while I speak to him of the im
mortal gods, and communicate to him my
heavenly message. He has been called a
Christian. We shall soon know. He
must preside officially at the sacrifice. It
will prove his innocence if he complies;
if he refuses, it will prove his guilt. This,
0 warriors! is the only means of appeas
ing the wrath of our great Mars !”
When he finished, a loud and terrible
burst of enthusiasm echoed through the
enclosure of the camp, and re-echoed far
through the solitude of the surrounding
desert. The immense forests which lay
ou the slope of the mountains that arose
on the side of Carthage, far in the dis
tance, caught up the cry and cast it back
as if the voice of Nature had ratified the
determination of the priest.
Jarbas was in his tent all the while.
He was not at all surprised at the insur
rection of his soldiers, for he had been
well apprised of it beforehand. He re
mained firm, and not the slightest evi
dence of uneasiness was visible in his
noble counteaance. lie came forth to
meet them. He had laid aside feis armor,
aud appeared before them defenceless,
lie looked upon that moving* mass with
out the least sentiment of fear, and heard
their fierce denunciations without re
ceding one step.
“ Soldiers 1” he cried at length, when
he got within reach of hearing ; “ Sol
diers ! what do you want with use ?”
When a sudden crash of thunder is
heard, all noise subsides and conversa
tions stop. The mind receives a sudden
shock, and it is some moments before the
system recovers the vigor whieh it has
lost. So it was with the soldiers when
they heard the calm, strong, and imper
turbable voice of Jarbal. All disturb
ance ceased, and every one appeared as
if he were rooted to the spot. But the
indefatigable Sylvain was ready and
prompt to consider.
“ General, the army is discontented,
and the immortal gods are angry*.”
“ Who art thou ?” replied Jarbas, with
firmness and dignity, “ Who hast given
thee power to speak in the name of the
army ? Old man, I respect thy grey
hairs, or I would cause thee to be cast
into chains.”
My name ! It matters little to thee,
but thou beholdest in me one inspired by
the gods. It is they who have sent me
to the camp and appointed me as the in
terpreter of their will. Listen, then,
Jarbas, and restrain thy anger. I re
peat, the army is discontented. Thou
keepest thy army here when they are
eager for the fight, and when the inter
ests of Carthage demand that they should
fight. Besides, they accuse thee of trea
son and”
“ Withhold thy calumnious tongue !”
interrupted Jarbas, whose patience was
now at an end.
“ Nobly said!” cried several, who
were disposed to defend their chief.
♦Sylvain began to see that he must
eoine to the point at once, otherwise his
cause would be gravely* compromised,
so he continued :
“ These rumors do not interest mo.
j My 7 mission is of a higher order. I came
j to speak to thee in the name of the gods,
and to announce their indignation at the
neglect of their altars and the progress
of anew and impious religion. The god
of war, the terrible Mars, has sworn to
abandon us and fight at the head of our
enemies, if a solemn sacriliig is not of
fered up to him this very 7 day in the
midst of the camp.”
“If any soldier here is afraid, let him
assist at the sacrifice !” cried Sarbas, not
at all influenced by the words of Sylvain.
“ Let those who fear the god Mars, come
forward; let them gorge the flesh of in
offensive lambs and offer them up to him
in sacrifice ”
“ I thee know, Jarbas,” pursued
the old man, “that I only bend before
the power of the gods. I have not said
all yet. Thou thyself must preside at
this sacrifice, at the head of thy army,
for such is the will of the inviucible son
of Jupiter. I await for thy answer.”
“ Thou shalt have it. 1 will place my
self at the head of my army, and lead
my valiant troops to victory, but I will
not sacrifice. My sword can only shed
the blood of the enemies of my* country.”
“ Thy language betrays what thou art.
Grand Carthage, the beloved city of
Juno, lias confided the honor of its flag to
a young chief who secretly contemns its
divinities, and who has joined to this de
parture from her law, the crime of
apostacy.”
“ Foolish old man! Thou hast for
gotten the lessons of wisdom. I pardon
thee, for thou knowest not what thou art
saying. Thou hast nothing but words
of malediction for innocent men —for
those who have done you no harm—
who have always sustained their honor,
and obeyed the laws, and who only ask
to be allowed to follow in peace the as
pirations of their conscience.”
“ Dost thou admit that thou art a
Christian ?” demanded the priest, with a
savage grin of exultation.
“ I have never sullied my lips with
an untruth. Old man, thou ait without
sense, and I answer thee not. 1 speak
to the soldiers. Soldiers ! I say pub
licly*, that the chief who has fought at
your head with glory, who will conduct
you back triumphantly to Carthage, is
a Christian. Yes, lam a Christian !
1 adore the true God, and him alone.”
The dignity with which he spoke, the
noble and majestic glance that flashed
from his eye, his proud and soldier-like
attitude, and the boldness with which
he avowed the truth, threw a magic
spell around the turbulent crowd, and
restrained for a moment any* exhibition
of popular feeling.
Sylvain grew pale. He forgot for a
moment the part which he had assumed,
and began to feel for his poignard,
which be had concealed beneath his tunic*
At length the torrent burst forth, all
the more violent from its having been
stemmed. But it rushed in two differ
ent currents.
“ Glory aud life to the General!” cried
out the guard unanimously.
“ Death to the traitor ! Death to Jar
bas ! the of the gods !” vocifer
ated the pagan soldiers, urged on by the
promoters of the revolt, who had re
ceived the private signal from Sylvain.
Jarbas endeavored to quell the tu
mult, but all in vain. They came for
ward like the surging waves, lashed to
fury by the blast of the tempest. They
cried loudly for the death ot .Jarbas, the
enemy of their religion, and already a
thousand swords glittered in the sun.
There were many who still respected
their commander, and who were opposed
to extremities, but they were carried on
by the irresistible force of the cu r nt.
At this moment a dagger suddenly
gleamed in the air. Sylvain would have
lie glory to himself, and he had seized
No. 7.