` The Winged Hats fought like wolves -- all in a pack . Where they had suffered most , there they charged in most hotly . This was hard for the defenders , but it held them from sweeping on into Britain . ` In those days Pertinax and I wrote on the plaster of the bricked archway into Valentia the names of the towers , and the days on which they fell one by one . We wished for some record . ` And the fighting ? The fight was always hottest to left and right of the great statue of Roma Dea , near to Rutilianus 's house . By the Light of the Sun , that old fat man , whom we had not considered at all , grew young again among the trumpets ! I remember he said his sword was an oracle ! `` Let us consult the Oracle , '' he would say , and put the handle against his ear , and shake his head wisely . `` And this day is allowed Rutilianus to live , '' he would say , and , tucking up his cloak , he would puff and pant and fight well . Oh , there were jests in plenty on the Wall to take the place of food ! ` We endured for two months and seventeen days -- always being pressed from three sides into a smaller space . Several times Allo sent in word that help was at hand . We did not believe it , but it cheered our men . ` The end came not with shoutings of joy , but , like the rest , as in a dream . The Winged Hats suddenly left us in peace for one night and the next day ; which is too long for spent men . We slept at first lightly , expecting to be roused , and then like logs , each where he lay . May you never need such sleep ! When I waked our towers were full of strange , armed men , who watched us snoring .
I roused XXXXX , and we leaped up together . '
Allo Oracle Pertinax Valentia days first jests left months shoutings