he said . Then he laughed his laugh that was not a laugh . `` What would you do if you were a handful of oats being crushed between the upper and lower stones of a mill ? '' ' `` I 'm Pertinax , not a riddle-guesser , '' said Pertinax . ' `` You 're a fool , '' said Allo . `` Your Gods and my Gods are threatened by strange Gods , and all you can do is to laugh . '' ' `` Threatened men live long , '' I said . ' `` I pray the Gods that may be true , '' he said . `` But I ask you again not to forget me . '' ` We climbed the last hot hill and looked out on the eastern sea , three or four miles off . There was a small sailing-galley of the North Gaul pattern at anchor , her landing-plank down and her sail half up ; and below us , alone in a hollow , holding his pony , sat Maximus , Emperor of Britain ! He was dressed like a hunter , and he leaned on his little stick ; but I knew that back as far as I could see it , and I told Pertinax . ' `` You 're madder than Allo ! '' he said . `` It must be the sun ! '' ` Maximus never stirred till we stood before him . Then he looked me up and down , and said : `` Hungry again ? It seems to be my destiny to feed you whenever we meet . I have food here . Allo shall cook it . '' '
`` No , '' said XXXXX .
Allo Britain Maximus Pertinax destiny fool landing-plank men riddle-guesser sailing-galley