d. 'We have to buy three pistols for every one we get
safely into the town. But one revolver may save ten thousand roubles
of property, not to mention your life.'

'It will end our lives, not save them!' persisted the timber-merchant.
'This is a plot to destroy us!'

A growl of assent burst from the others.

'My friends,' said David quietly. 'A plot to destroy you has already
been hatched; the question is, are you going to be destroyed like rats
or like men?'

'Pooh!' said the horse-dealer. 'This is not the first time we have
been threatened, if not with death, at least with extra taxes; but we
have always sent _Shtadlonim_ (ambassadors). We will make a
collection, and the president of the _Kahal_ shall go at once to the
Governor, and present it to him'--here Mendel winked--'to enable him
to take measures against the _pogrom_.'

'The Governor is in the plot,' said David.

'He can be bought out,' said the timber-merchant.

'_Pogroms_ are more profitable than presents,' rejoined David drily.
'Let us rather prepare bombs.' A fresh shudder traversed the beds and
the chairs, and agitated the window-curtain.

'Bombs! Presents!' burst forth the old Rabbi. 'These are godless
instruments. We are in the hands of the Holy One--blessed be He! The
_Shomer_ (Guardian) of Israel neither slumbereth nor sleepeth.'

'Neither does the _Shochet_ (slaughterer) of Israel,' said David
savagely.

'Hush! Epicurean!' came from every quarter at this grim jest; for the
_Shomer_ and the _Shochet_ are the official twain of ritual butchery.

The landlord, seeing how the tide was turning, added, 'Brazen
_Marshallik_ (buffoon)!'

'I will appoint a day of fasting and prayer,' concluded the Rabbi
solemnly.

A breath of reassurance wafted through the room. 'And I, Rabbi,' said
Guetels the grocer, 'will supply the synagogue with candles to equal in
length the graves of all your predecessors.'

'May thy strength increase, Guetels!' came the universal gratitude, and
the landlord at the window-curtain drew a great sigh of relief.

'Still, gentlemen,' he said, 'if I may intrude my humble opinion--Reb
Mendel's advice is also good. God is, of course, our only protection.
But there can be no harm in getting, _lehavdil_ (not to compare them),
the Governor's protection too.'

'True, true.' And the faces grew still cheerier.

'In God's name, wake up!' David burst forth. 'In _Samooborona_ lies
your only salvation. Give the money to us, not to th