nd right of the
great Statue of Roma Dea, near to Rutilianus' house. By the light of the
Sun, that old fat man, whom we had not considered at all, grew young again
among the trumpets! I remember he said his sword was an oracle! "Let us
consult the Oracle," he would say, and put the handle against his ear, and
shake his head wisely. "And _this_ day is 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 shoutings 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--