IN A STATE OF SIEGE 101 



" One can't tell for certain," I said, doubtfully ; 

 "they are co-religionists." 



The little Ancient looked as if he were quite 

 enjoying himself. 



" Why be frightened ? " he asked, beaming over 

 his spectacles. " Are not we here ? " 



I remarked that I was not frightened, but I 

 was determined that they should not come in. 

 I beckoned Unda out quietly. 



"I am going to barricade the gate," I said, 

 " with servants ! " 



We went towards it, and I explained to the 

 door-keeper what my views were ; that there were 

 a bad lot of people said to be coining along, and 

 that I did not wish them to be allowed to enter to 

 destroy anything. Soon I was surrounded by all 

 the servants, who entered into the spirit of the 

 thing at once, and loudly declared they would 

 stay by the gate, and wouldn't let any one in. 

 They ran to find long sticks for weapons of 

 defence. 



" Unda ! " I said, " let us give them the assegais 

 from the hall ! " 



No sooner said than done. They were rusty, 



