"Maximus's Soldiers". It showed a
row of fat wine-skins, and our old Doctor of the Hunno hospital snuffing
at them. Each time that Maximus had taken troops out of Britain to help
him to conquer Gaul, he used to send the garrisons more wine--to keep
them quiet, I suppose. On the Wall, we always called a wine-skin a
"Maximus". Oh, yes; and I had drawn them in Imperial helmets.

'"Not long since," he went on, "men's names were sent up to Caesar for
smaller jokes than this."

'"True, Caesar," said Pertinax; "but you forget that was before I, your
friend's friend, became such a good spear-thrower."

'He did not actually point his hunting-spear at Maximus, but balanced it
on his palm--so!

'"I was speaking of time past," said Maximus, never fluttering an
eyelid. "Nowadays one is only too pleased to find boys who can think for
themselves, _and_ their friends." He nodded at Pertinax. "Your Father
lent me the letters, Parnesius, so you run no risk from me."

'"None whatever," said Pertinax, and rubbed the spear-point on his
sleeve.

'"I have been forced to reduce the garrisons in Britain, because I need
troops in Gaul. Now I come to take troops from the Wall itself," said
he.

'"I wish you joy of us," said Pertinax. "We're the last sweepings of the
Empire--the men without hope. Myself, I'd sooner trust condemned
criminals."

'"You think so?" he said, quite seriously. "But it will only be till I
win Gaul. One must always risk one's life, or one's soul, or one's
peace--or some little thing."

'Allo passed round the fire with the sizzling deer's meat. He served us
two first.

'"Ah!" said Maximus, waiting his turn. "I perceive you are in your own
country. Well, you deserve it. They tell me you have quite a following
among the Picts, Parnesius."

'"I have hunted with them," I said. "Maybe I have a few friends among
the Heather."

'"He is the only armoured man of you all who understands us," said Allo,
and he began a long speech about our virtues, and how we had saved one
of his grandchildren from a wolf the year before.'

'Had you?' said Una.

'Yes; but that was neither here nor there. The little green man orated
like a--like Cicero. He made us out to be magnificent fellows. Maximus
never took his eyes off our faces.

'"Enough," he said. "I have heard Allo on you. I wish to hear you on the
Picts."

'I told him as much as I knew, and Pertinax helped me out. There is
never harm in a Pict if you but take the troub