though it is hard to understand how a girl of fifteen can do any
thing toward successful generalship, much can be granted to a
young lady who, if the records speak truth, was, even while a
girl, "a Minerva in wisdom, and not deficient in statecraft."

So, while she advised with her father's boldest captains and
strengthened so wisely the walls of ancient Colchester, or
Camalodunum, that traces of her work still remain as proof of her
untiring zeal, she still cherished the hope of British freedom
and release from Rome. And the loving old king, deep in his
pleasures, still recognized the will and wisdom of his valiant
daughter, and bade his artists make in her honor a memorial that
should ever speak of her valor. And this memorial, lately
unearthed, and known as the Colchester Sphinx, perpetuates the
lion-like qualities of a girl in her teens, who dared withstand
the power of Imperial Rome.

And still no help came from her cousin, the admiral. But one day
a galley speeding up the Colne brought this unsigned message to
King Coel:

"To Coel, Camalodunum, Greeting:

"Save thyself. Constantius the sallow-faced, prefect of the
Western praetorians, is even now on his way from Spain to crush
thy revolt. Save thyself. I wait. justice will come."

"Thou seest, O daughter," said King Coel as Helena read the
craven missive, "the end cometh as I knew it would. Well, man can
but die." And with this philosophic reflection the "jolly old