Nicanor - Teller of Tales | Page 8

the north were skulking bands of Picts and Scots, lawless
and undisciplined, seized with the contagion of excitement which
stirred their neighbors. In the south were Saxons, the terrible men of the
Short Knives; about the coasts to east and south were bands of pirates,
Jutes and Saxons both. Driven from their own lairs, they could but seek
new resting-places; and Britain was the only spot where they might
obtain a foothold. These rovers the Roman legions had held long years
in check; yet it was told that soon the troops would be recalled to
Rome's defence. None believed that Britain would be left wholly to
herself; for Rome was too far away for her full peril to be brought
home to those whose own affairs kept their hands well filled. But in the
tenth year of the fifth century across the sea came letters from Honorius

the Emperor, urging the cities of Britain to provide for their own
defence, since Rome could no longer send them aid. And for Britain
this was the slow beginning of the end. There followed then invasion
after invasion of barbarians, which the cities, forever quarrelling among
themselves, were forced to unite in repulsing. The Saxons thus
overcome, ended usually by settling in Roman cities under Roman
government peaceably enough until the next attack by their countrymen,
in which they invariably joined. By the year 420 Angles and Saxons
had gradually established themselves on the eastern and southeastern
coasts, while other allied tribes constantly harassed the western
districts.
Since the second century Rome's army in Britain had dwindled to four
legions. At Deva, in the west, was the Twentieth Legion, holding in
check the fierce mountain tribes of the Silures, and, with the Second,
farther south, at Isca Silurum, keeping at bay the pirates who at times
sailed up the broad Sabrina on plunder bent. In the north, at Eboracum,
was the famous Sixth, within quick reaching-distance of Valentia and
Caledonia. At Ratæ was the Ninth, guarding the low country and the
eastern fens. But after the Emperor's letter, the Ninth and the Twentieth
sailed away, and the proconsul at Eboracum perforce sent part of his
own troops to fill their places. Two years later, the Sixth was recalled.
And then the consul abandoned Eboracum, that great city which since
its foundation had been the seat of government for all the land, and
with his forces moved farther south, leaving it deserted.
But not for long. For Caledonians and Saxons came down from the
north and occupied it, and settled there to stay. And after that,
whenever Romans left the northern towns, seeking greater security in
the southward provinces, the barbarians advanced and took possession,
and thus gained the foothold for which they had been struggling ever
since the Conquest. And so the coming of the end was hastened.
Those later days of the departure of the troops were stirring days. The
island, governed by the lords of the cities, each in feudal independence,
had shaken off the leading-strings of Rome. It was wealthy; as yet it
was prosperous; the advance of the barbarians, though it might be sure,

was slow. When Rome's troubles were past, she would send her troops
again, and the invaders would be driven out for good and all. Yet there
were many folk abroad in those days, asking anxious questions, filled
with responsibility and care. And ever and again, along the great white
roads, a cohort would go flashing past, lined up to full number, gallant
in fighting trim, with standards flying, and eyes set always southward,
toward the sea and Rome.
* * * * *
There were many other folk upon the busy highways,--an endless
procession that went and came. Pack-horses, war chariots, slaves and
soldiers, nobles, merchants, and artificers, men with goods to sell and
men without,--a motley throng from many lands. Nicanor, shy and
fierce-eyed and of shaggy hair, tramping steadily southward in the
wake of the swift-footed soldiers, felt that the world was a very mighty
place, and never had he dreamed of such great people. As he drew
nearer Londinium, the traffic and the bustle increased. More troops
kept coming up; and again others passed them, going down. And now,
among the low hills, he caught glimpses of fair and stately houses
gleaming among wooded groves; and there were huts of plastered mud,
straw-thatched, where dwelt gaunt, collared slaves.
On either side of the road were broad meadows where sheep were
grazing; and ploughed fields where men and women stood yoked like
cattle and strained to the cut of the ploughman's lash; and quarries
where men toiled endlessly under heart-breaking loads, driven on by
blows and curses. These were the things which Nicanor had known all
his life, for his father worked, and his mother.