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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.