“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]