512 



THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT chap. 



ers on the veranda, disturbed by our approach, refused 

 to assist us in any manner to enter the house. Most 

 of them were vagrants ; but the Sepoy soldiers and 

 the door-keeper said that they had been stationed 

 there to prevent anybody entering the house and dis- 

 turbing its inmates at night, and, therefore, that we 

 should have to go away. 



I gave a sign to my men, and they seized some 

 bits of timber and a chair lying on the veranda. 



Armed with these they rushed at the door with loud 

 shouts. It was strongly built, else it would have been 

 burst in. At length a querulous voice was heard from 

 inside, and footsteps, as of some one approaching. 

 The door opened, and one of the members of the 

 firm appeared, and in a frightened manner asked the 

 cause of the trouble. As suavely as possible I intro- 

 duced myself, and apologized for disturbing his slum- 

 bers ; then I stated my wishes. He said that it was 

 impossible to get any money at that time of night; 



