Chapter I: Preface

The writer having made the early Christian Catacombs a special study for several years, and his larger volume on that subject having been received with great favour in Great Britain, the United States, and Canada, has endeavoured in this story to give as popular an account as he could of early Christian life and character as illustrated by these interesting memorials of the primitive Church. He has been especially careful to maintain historical accuracy in all his statements of fact, and in the filling up of details he has endeavoured to preserve the historical "keeping" of the picture. Persons wishing to pursue the study of the Catacombs still further are referred to the Author's special work on that subject. See note at the end of this volume.

W.H.W.

THE CATACOMBS.

BY HARRIET ANNIE WILKINS.

"Miles after miles of graves, and not one word or sign of the gloominess or death." _Professor Jules De Launay._

MILES after miles of graves,
League after league of tombs,
And not one sign of spectre Death,
Waving his shadowy plumes;
Hope, beautiful and bright,
Spanning the arch above
Faith, gentle, overcoming Faith,
And Love, God's best gift, Love.

For early Christians left
Their darlings to their rest,
As mothers leave their little ones
When the sun gilds the west;
No mourning robes of black,
No crape upon the doors,
For the victorious palm-bearers,
Who tread the golden floors.

Arrayed in garments white,
No mournful dirges pealing,
Bearing green branches in their hands,
Around the tomb they're kneeling;
This was their marching song,
"By death we are not holden;"
And this their glorious funeral hymn,
"Jerusalem the golden."

Beautiful girls sleep there,
Waiting the Bridegroom's call.
Each lamp is burning brilliantly,
While the bright shadows fall;
And baby martyrs passed
Straight to the great I AM,
While sturdier soldiers carved o'er each,
"VICTOR, GOD'S LITTLE LAMB."

Miles after miles of graves,
League after league of tombs,
The cross upon each conqueror's brow
Light up the catacombs;
"'Tis in this sign we conquer."
Sounds on the blood-stained track;
"'Tis in this sign we conquer,"
We gladly answer back.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
ON THE APPIAN WAY 7

CHAPTER II.
IN CÆSAR'S PALACE 17

CHAPTER III.
EMPRESS AND SLAVE 23

CHAPTER IV.
THE IMPERIAL BANQUET 33

CHAPTER V.
THE CHRISTIANS AND THE LIONS 43

CHAPTER VI.
THE MARTYR'S BURIAL 54

CHAPTER VII.
WITH HILARUS, THE FOSSOR 64

CHAPTER VIII.
WITH PRIMITIUS, THE PRESBYTER 75

CHAPTER IX.
A DIFFICULT QUEST 86

CHAPTER X.
A WICKED PLOT 92

CHAPTER XI
THE SLAVE MARKET 97

CHAPTER XII.
THE LOST FOUND 105

CHAPTER XIII.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER 111

CHAPTER XIV.
"UNSTABLE AS WATER" 117

CHAPTER XV.
AT THE BATHS 124

CHAPTER XVI.
THE GAMING TABLE 129

CHAPTER XVII.
"IN PERICULIS TUTUS" 135

CHAPTER XVIII
THE MIDNIGHT PLOT 142

CHAPTER XIX
IN THE TOILS OF THE TEMPTER 148

CHAPTER XX
THE PLOT THICKENS 153

CHAPTER XXI.
A CRIME PREVENTED 161

CHAPTER XXII.
THE STORM BURSTS 168

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE MAMERTINE PRISON 177

CHAPTER XXIV.
THE EVE OF MARTYRDOM 184

CHAPTER XXV.
A ROMAN HOLIDAY 188

CHAPTER XXVI
THE MARTYRS CROWNED 199

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE MARTYRS BURIED 205

CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE BETRAYAL--THE PURSUIT 215

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE DOOM OF THE TRAITOR 224

CHAPTER XXX.
FATE OF THE PERSECUTORS--TRIUMPH OF
CHRISTIANITY 229

VALERIA, THE MARTYR OF THE CATACOMBS.