Speak up , O Madman called Emperor ! '' ` Maximus smiled his terrible tight-lipped smile , but two years on the Wall do not make a man afraid of mere looks . So I was not afraid . ' `` I meant you , Parnesius , to live and die a Centurion of the Wall , '' said Maximus . `` But it seems from these , '' -- he fumbled in his breast -- `` you can think as well as draw . '' He pulled out a roll of letters I had written to my people , full of drawings of Picts , and bears , and men I had met on the Wall . Mother and my sister always liked my pictures . ` 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 XXXXX .
Emperor Father Gaul Hunno Imperial Maximus Wall garrisons spear-point wine-skins