hat belongs to the Degree of
Gryphons in the science of Mithras my God. I put my shield over him till
he could stand up. You see I am not short, but he was a head taller than
I. He said: "What now?" I said: "At your pleasure, my brother, to stay
or go."

'He looked out across the surf. There remained one ship unhurt, beyond
range of our catapults. I checked the catapults and he waved her in.
She came as a hound comes to a master. When she was yet a hundred paces
from the beach, he flung back his hair, and swam out. They hauled him
in, and went away. I knew that those who worship Mithras are many and of
all races, so I did not think much more upon the matter.

'A month later I saw Allo with his horses--by the Temple of Pan, O
Faun--and he gave me a great necklace of gold studded with coral.

'At first I thought it was a bribe from some tradesman in the
town--meant for old Rutilianus. "Nay," said Allo. "This is a gift from
Amal, that Winged Hat whom you saved on the beach. He says you are a
Man."

'"He is a Man, too. Tell him I can wear his gift," I answered.

'"Oh, Amal is a young fool; but, speaking as sensible men, your Emperor
is doing such great things in Gaul that the Winged Hats are anxious to
be his friends, or, better still, the friends of his servants. They
think you and Pertinax could lead them to victories." Allo looked at me
like a one-eyed raven.

'"Allo," I said, "you are the corn between the two millstones. Be
content if they grind evenly, and don't thrust your hand between them."

'"I?" said Allo. "I hate Rome and the Winged Hats equally; but if the
Winged Hats thought that some day you and Pertinax might join them
against Maximus, they would leave you in peace while you considered.
Time is what we need--you and I and Maximus. Let me carry a pleasant
message back to the Winged Hats--something for them to make a council
over. We barbarians are all alike. We sit up half the night to discuss
anything a Roman says. Eh?"

'"We have no men. We must fight with words," said Pertinax. "Leave it to
Allo and me."

'So Allo carried word back to the Winged Hats that we would not fight
them if they did not fight us; and they (I think they were a little
tired of losing men in the sea) agreed to a sort of truce. I believe
Allo, who being a horse-dealer loved lies, also told them we might some
day rise against Maximus as Maximus had risen against Rome.

'Indeed, they permitted the corn-ships which I sent to th