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. A band of prisoners have entered the court.
Antipater, tall and erect in exomis of plain gray, right arm and
shoulder bare, walked in the centre of the front rank. Traitors of the
betrayed council were there beside him. Slowly they about to die came
forth and stood in even rank and bowed low before the king. Herod beat
his palms upon the golden rail before him and muttered hoarsely. Then
with raised finger and leering face he taunted them.
"Outlaws!" he croaked. "I doubt not ye be also cowards."
All drew back save Antipater and a huge Scythian bandit. They drew
broadswords and rushed together, fighting with terrific energy. The
Scythian fell in a moment. One after another four conspirators came to
battle with their chief, but each went down before his terrible attack.
Some asked for mercy as they fell, but all perished by the hand of him
they had sought to serve.
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