itain, and then you, my two children, will
presently get all the men you need. Just now I can spare none."'

'What did he mean by his General's son?' said Dan.

'He meant Theodosius Emperor of Rome, who was the son of Theodosius the
General under whom Maximus had fought in the old Pict War. The two men
never loved each other, and when Gratian made the younger Theodosius
Emperor of the East (at least, so I've heard), Maximus carried on the
war to the second generation. It was his fate, and it was his fall.
But Theodosius the Emperor is a good man. As I know.' Parnesius was
silent for a moment and then continued.

'I wrote back to Maximus that, though we had peace on the Wall, I
should be happier with a few more men and some new catapults. He
answered: "You must live a little longer under the shadow of my
victories, till I can see what young Theodosius intends. He may
welcome me as a brother-Emperor, or he may be preparing an army. In
either case I cannot spare men just now."

'But he was always saying that,' cried Una.

'It was true. He did not make excuses; but thanks, as he said, to the
news of his victories, we had no trouble on the Wall for a long, long
time. The Picts grew fat as their own sheep among the heather, and as
many of my men as lived were well exercised in their weapons. Yes, the
Wall looked strong. For myself, I knew how weak we were. I knew that
if even a false rumour of any defeat to Maximus broke loose among the
Winged Hats, they might come down in earnest, and then--the Wall must
go! For the Picts I never cared, but in those years I learned
something of the strength of the Winged Hats. They increased their
strength every day, but I could not increase my men. Maximus had
emptied Britain behind us, and I felt myself to be a man with a rotten
stick standing before a broken fence to turn bulls.

'Thus, my friends, we lived on the Wall, waiting--waiting--waiting for
the men that Maximus never sent.

'Presently he wrote that he was preparing an army against Theodosius.
He wrote--and Pertinax read it over my shoulder in our quarters: "Tell
your Father that my destiny orders me to drive three mules or be torn
in pieces by them. I hope within a year to finish with Theodosius, son
of Theodosius, once and for all. Then you shall have Britain to rule,
and Pertinax, if he chooses, Gaul. Today I wish strongly you were with
me to beat my Auxiliaries into shape. Do not, I pray you, belie