` He handed me one that I had called `` 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 Cæsar for smaller jokes than this . '' ' `` True , Cæsar , '' 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 XXXXX .
Cæsar Doctor Father Gaul Imperial Pertinax garrisons spear-point spear-thrower wine-skin