A leap into the air, a double stroke of the right fore-paw, and down fell the beast, while the man reeled, with rent tunic, and caught the side of the arena.

In a twinkling, as he clung feebly, he reddened from head to toe.

Three bestiarii had thrust in their lances and held the lion back; others opened a gate and removed the dying gladiator.

Herod, leaning over, beckoned to the master of the games.
"A noble lion!" said he, his voice trembling.

"Save him for the battle of the pit." Now, in pursuance of the order of the king, a pit had been dug and walled with timber near that place where the fighter had met his death.
A score of slaves forthwith lowered the arena into the pit with ropes.
Herod and all who sat with him could see the open top of the barred space, but the beast was beyond their vision.
Another trumpet-call.