Central High School - Mirror Yearbook (Birmingham, AL)

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his I my. The hours raced In him, for at dawn the men must march, and unless his son came before then it meant almost certain death. A footstep crunched on the gravel of the path, and the old man sat up expectantly. Some one flushed aside the woven rushes that screened the door, and entered. It was a young man. tall and good to look upon. In his hand he carried a hunting spear, over his shoulder hung a quiver of arrows— but it was not Mcliorix. (The Chieftain sighed and turned away, bat he quickh controlled himself and again faced the youth.) Son of my friend, why do you come? What can I do for you. ’ Chief. I am going to seek Meliorix. The old man looked at him. No, minus. ‘ he said. 1 must not let you go. It is a decree of the Gods that my boy should be absent at this time. Go back to your slumbers. If il is their will. Meliorix will return in time. If not —bis voice trailed off. Sir.” answered the other firmly, “Meliorix i my friend and benefactor. He dared all for me. I shall dare, and if need be. give all. for him. 1 am going. Farewell. lie strode to the door, pushed aside the hangings and departed. The Chieftain sank back upon his couch and covered his eyes with his hands. Thus they found him at dawn, when his followers were ready to march. • ♦ The same dawn found a young man accompanied by a huge wolf-hound, picking his way across a mountain torrent. It was Meliorix. Me was a good two day’s journey from bis father's village, and in no great hurry to return. Therefore he and the dog went leisurely on their way. and night found them still twenty miles from home. Meanwhile. Attunus had searched every foot of the forest in which he thought Meliorix might I e and at dusk, despondent I ut still faithful, the youth was seated near a solitary watch-fire. He was thinking. Without a doubt, he and Meliorix were now the only two men w ho had not long ago arrived at the town of Adiax. Then a horrible thought flashed through his brain— either he or his friend would he the last man. nd that man must die! Die! Forgotten were all his noble resolves, for the last man to arrive must die! it must not be lie! I!c seized his spear, and dashed blindh down the mountain path. It was the God’s will that Meliorix he away at such a time. Let him suffer! lie, Attunus, must not die! On and on he ran. panic-stricken—on through the black of midnight and the grev of dawn. Noon of the next day found him still staggering on. a day’s journey from the rendezvous. n hour later he came to a spring, lie must rest, for his legs refused to earn, him farther. He sank exhausted to the earth and slept. And soon he dreamed, dreamed of a clay long ago. a pleasant day on the hanks of the Loire. Two hoys—he and Meliorix stood upon the water's edge. He plunged in. and swam lustily for the opposite bank. He could feel the cool water wash against his body as he pushed it aside. Suddenly something seemed t« seize him, and pull him toward the bottom. He felt the water close over his head: felt the horrible sensation of lack of air. His brain turned, hazy images ran madly through it. He was dying, dying. Then a strong arm caught him; ihirly-pHf

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CURRY LITERARY SOCIETY

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drew him up into the delicious air. Later, sale on the bank, he opened his eyes, and looked into the anxious face of his friend Mcliorix. Then the dream changed. He saw a vast multitude of his own people, gathered around a stake, set in a great square, to which was bound a young man. An executioner applied a torch to the brush at the young man’s feet. He looked into the face of the man. It was Meliorix—and the executioner— was himself. He sprang up with a cry of horror. It was night again, and the stars were shining. The calm of it all soothed him. and he reseated himself at the base of the tree. Hreams come from the Hods. he thought, ‘ ami are sent as messages to mortals. I will heed. After all, to die for one you love is not so had. Meliorix shall be given time to pass. He will surely hear of the war when he returns to the village, and hasten on. I shall wa»ch the pr.th. Yes. I will wait and die. And at once a wonderful peace came over him, and lie fell asleep again, and dreamed of the glories of Valhalla, so soon to be his. The sun's rays dancing into his eyes awakened him and lie sat up. Some one was coming through the forest, lie could hear the snap of the branches under his feet. Attunus quickly sought hiding in a nearby thicket. The bushes on the opposite side of the spring parted, and Meliorix Stepped forth. Hi countenance betrayed anxiety. Evidently he had heard the news. t-lunus silently thanked the Sun-god for awakening him in time, while Meliorix, scarcely pausing to drink, hastened on his way. I shall wait, thought Attunus, until he has had time to go beyond danger of my overtaking him, and he again sat down by the might tree. He soon became so absorbed in thought that he was unaware, when an hour later a band of men crept cautiously toward him through the forest, and so uhen a Roman centurion and six of his men sprang suddenly upon him from the bushes he scarcely knew what had happened. They bound his hands, and in spite of his struggles, forced him to go with them. They carried him 0 a hastily pitched camp. I here Attunus was turned over to an officer, who conducted him to a tent much larger than the others, in a compartment of which sat a small, clean-faced man in a white robe, writing at a table. My general. said the officer, respectfully, here is a young Gaul, captured this morning by a scouting-party.” 'The general looked tip. Surely, thought Attunus, this is not the mighty Caesar, this weak man! Hut it was. and Caesar spoke to him through the guide, who was an interpreter. Of what tribe are you, and where were you going when captured ?” I am 01 the nation whose king is Adiax. lie answered, and I was going to his chief town.” It is well. answered Caesar, and then he spoke to the interpreter, after which Attunus was carried away and placed in another tent before whose flap Mere stationed two guards. Again he had visions of the youth at the stake, again he saw the executioner advance. Rut he was powerless, for when in a frenzy he had attempted rush from (he tent, he had been shoved nidelv back by the guards. thirlyl-.vo