'"It was in a tent by the Sea," he stammered. "He was beheaded by
Theodosius. He sent a letter to you, written while he waited to be slain.
The Winged Hats met the ship and took it. The news is running through the
heather like fire. Blame me not! I cannot hold back my young men any
more."

'"I would we could say as much for our men," said Pertinax, laughing.
"But, Gods be praised, they cannot run away."

'"What do you do?" said Allo. "I bring an order--a message--from the Winged
Hats that you join them with your men, and march South to plunder
Britain."

'"It grieves me," said Pertinax, "but we are stationed here to stop that
thing."

'"If I carry back such an answer they will kill me," said Allo. "I always
promised the Winged Hats that you would rise when Maximus fell. I--I did
not think he could fall."

'"Alas! my poor barbarian," said Pertinax, still laughing. "Well, you have
sold us too many good ponies to be thrown back to your friends. We will
make you a prisoner, although you are an ambassador."

'"Yes, that will be best," said Allo, holding out a halter. We bound him
lightly, for he was an old man.

'"Presently the Winged Hats may come to look for you, and that will give
us more time. See how the habit of playing for time sticks to a man!" said
Pertinax, as he tied the rope.

'"No," I said. "Time may help. If Maximus wrote us letters while he was a
prisoner, Theodosius must have sent the ship that brought it. If he can
send ships, he can send men."

'"How will that profit us?" said Pertinax. "We serve Maximus, not
Theodosius. Even if by some miracle of the Gods Theodosius down South sent
and saved the Wall, we could not expect more than the death Maximus died."

'"It concerns us to defend the Wall, no matter what Emperor dies, or makes
die," I said.

'"That is worthy of your brother the philosopher," said Pertinax. "Myself
I am without hope, so I do not say solemn and stupid things! Rouse the
Wall!"

'We armed the Wall from end to end; we told the officers that there was a
rumour of Maximus's death which might bring down the Winged Hats, but we
were sure, even if it were true, that Theodosius, for the sake of Britain,
would send us help. Therefore, we must stand fast.... My friends, it is
above all things strange to see how men bear ill news! Often the strongest
till then become the weakest, while the weakest, as it were, reach up and
steal strength from the Gods. So it was with us. Yet my Pertina