s allowed
Rutilianus to live," he would say, and, tucking up his cloak, he would
puff and pant and fight well. Oh, there were jests in plenty on the
Wall to take the place of food!

'We endured for two months and seventeen days--always being pressed
from three sides into a smaller space. Several times Allo sent in word
that help was at hand. We did not believe it, but it cheered our men.
'The end came not with shootings of joy, but, like the rest, as in a
dream. The Winged Hats suddenly left us in peace for one night and the
next day; which is too long for spent men. We slept at first lightly,
expecting to be roused, and then like logs, each where he lay. May you
never need such sleep! When I waked our towers were full of strange,
armed men, who watched us snoring. I roused Pertinax, and we leaped up
together.

"'What?" said a young man in clean armour. "Do you fight against
Theodosius? Look!"

'North we looked over the red snow. No Winged Hats were there. South
we looked over the white snow, and behold there were the Eagles of two
strong Legions encamped. East and west we saw flame and fighting, but
by Hunno all was still.

"'Trouble no more," said the young man. "Rome's arm is long. Where
are the Captains of the Wall?"

'We said we were those men.

"'But you are old and grey-haired," he cried. "Maximus said that they
were boys."

"'Yes, that was true some years ago," said Pertinax. "What is our fate
to be, you fine and well-fed child?"

"'I am called Ambrosius, a secretary of the Emperor," he answered.
"Show me a certain letter which Maximus wrote from a tent at Aquileia,
and perhaps I will believe."

'I took it from my breast, and when he had read it he saluted us,
saying: "Your fate is in your own hands. If you choose to serve
Theodosius, he will give you a Legion. If it suits you to go to your
homes, we will give you a Triumph."

"'I would like better a bath, wine, food, razors, soaps, oils, and
scents," said Pertinax, laughing.

"'Oh, I see you are a boy," said Ambrosius. "And you?" turning to me.

"'We bear no ill-will against Theodosius, but in War-" I began.

"'In War it is as it is in Love," said Pertinax. "Whether she be good
or bad, one gives one's best once, to one only. That given, there
remains no second worth giving or taking."

"'That is true," said Ambrosius. "I was with Maximus before he died.
He warned Theodosius that you would never serve him, and frankly I s