desired climax. The defenders showed their alertness by occasional
shots that grated harshly on the still air, and the attack could make
no progress. I wondered what would happen. Yet it did not last long,
for Providence was at work. Two Cossacks came cantering along the
street, bearing some message from a Russian command; and although
warning shouts were sent at them, too, as they approached, they paid
no heed, but rode carelessly by. As they came abreast of the main gate
a sudden volley, which made their mounts swerve so badly that less
adept horsemen would have been flung heavily to the ground, greeted
them and sent them careering wildly for a few yards. But here were men
who understood this kind of warfare. First, it is true, they were a
little angry as they pulled up, unslung their carbines and shot home
cartridges as if they would act like the rest.... But then, when they
saw how things were, they grinned in some delight, and finally
dismounting and driving their beasts with shouts off the road, they
prepared to join the fray. With renewed interest I watched them go to
work.

A little inspection showed the newcomers that the pawn-shop was too
difficult to capture by direct assault unless special means were
adopted, for such places being constructed with a view to resisting
the attacks of robbers even in peaceful times, are nearly always
little citadels in themselves. They are the people's banks. For some
time the two new arrivals walked stealthily around, with their
carbines in their hands, peering here and there, and trying to find a
weak spot. Then one man said something to the other, and they
disappeared into a neighbouring house, only to emerge almost
immediately with some bundles of straw and some wood. To their minds
it was evidently the only thing to be done; they were going to set
fire! Before there was time to protest, the Cossacks had piled their