Chapter I: Preface

“Count of the Saxon Shore” was a title bestowed by Maximian (colleague of Diocletian in the Empire from 286 to 305 A.D.) on the officer whose task it was to protect the coasts of Britain and Gaul from the attacks of the Saxon pirates. It appears to have existed down to the abandonment of Britain by the Romans.

So little is known from history about the last years of the Roman occupation that the writer of fiction has almost a free hand. In this story a novel, but, it is hoped, not an improbable, view is taken of an important event—the withdrawal of the legions. This is commonly assigned to the year 410, when the Emperor Honorius formally withdrew the Imperial protection from Britain. But the usurper Constantine had actually removed the British army two years before; and, as he was busied with the conquest of Gaul and Spain for a considerable time after, it is not likely that they were ever sent back.

A. J. C.
R. P.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE
I. A BRITISH CÆSAR 1
II. AN ELECTION 13
III. A PRIZE 21
IV. THE VILLA IN THE ISLAND 32
V. CARNA 47
VI. THE SAXON 57
VII. A PRETENDER’S DIFFICULTIES 70
VIII. THE NEWS IN THE CAMP 83
IX. THE DEPARTURE OF THE LEGIONS 94
X. DANGERS AHEAD 107
XI. THE PRIEST’S DEMAND 115
XII. LOST 124
XIII. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 135
XIV. THE PURSUIT 144
XV. THE PURSUIT (_continued_) 152
XVI. THE GREAT TEMPLE 164
XVII. THE BRITISH VILLAGE 173
XVIII. THE PICTS 182
XIX. THE SIEGE 194
XX. CEDRIC IN TROUBLE 207
XXI. THE ESCAPE 216
XXII. A VISITOR 224
XXIII. THE STRANGER’S STORY 234
XXIV. NEWS FROM ITALY 245
XXV. CONSULTATION 256
XXVI. FAREWELL! 266
XXVII. MARTIANUS 271
XXVIII. A RIVAL 281
XXIX. AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL 293
XXX. AT LAST 306

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

THE BURNING OF THE VILLA _Frontispiece_ PAGE CONSTANTINE ELECTED EMPEROR 18 THE _PANTHER_ AND THE SAXON PIRATES 28 CEDRIC AT THE FORGE 58 JAVELIN THROWING 78 THE DEPARTURE OF THE LEGIONS 104 BRITISH CONSPIRATORS 112 THE CAPTURE OF CARNA 128 THE SACRIFICE 166 CEDRIC AND THE PICT 196 CEDRIC’S FURY 212 CEDRIC’S ESCAPE 222 CLAUDIAN’S TALE 234 THE COUNT RECEIVING THE LETTER OF HONORIUS 252 CARNA AND MARTIANUS 276 CARNA ON THE HILLSIDE 304

_THE COUNT OF THE SAXON SHORE._