arations, he thought it
not improbable that a store of gunpowder might be kept in the Zaouia.
True, the French Government forbade Arabs to have more than a small
supply in their possession; but the marabout was greatly trusted, and
was perhaps allowed to deal out a certain amount of the coveted treasure
for "powder play" on religious fete days. To prevent the bordj falling
into the hands of the Arabs if the gate were blown down, Stephen and his
small force built up at the further corner of the yard, in front of the
dining-room door, a barrier of mangers, barrels, wooden troughs, iron
bedsteads and mattresses from the guest-rooms. Also they reinforced the
gates against pressure from the outside, using the shafts of an old cart
to make struts, which they secured against the side walls or frame of
the gateway. These formed buttresses of considerable strength; and the
landlord, instead of grumbling at the damage which might be done to his
bordj, and the danger which threatened himself, was maudlin with delight
at the prospect of killing a few detested Arabs.

"I don't know what your quarrel's about, unless it's the ladies," he
said, breathing vengeance and absinthe, "but whatever it is, I'll make
it mine, whether you compensate me or not. Depend upon me, _mon
capitaine_. Depend on an old soldier."

But Stephen dared not depend upon him to man one of the watch-towers.
Eye and hand were too unsteady to do good service in picking off
escaladers. The ex-soldier was brave enough for any feat, however, and
was delighted when the Englishman suggested, rather than gave orders,
that his should be the duty of lighting the bonfires. That done, he was
to take his stand in the courtyard, and shoot any man who escaped the
rifles in the wall-towers.

It was agreed among all five men that the gate was to be held as long as
possible; that if it fell, a second stand should be made behind the
crescent-shaped barricade outside the dining-room door; that, should
this defence fall also, all must retreat into the dining-room, where the
two sisters must remain throughout the attack; and this would be the
last stand.

Everything being settled, and the watch-towers well supplied with food
for the rifles, Stephen went to call Saidee and Victoria, who were in
their almost dismantled room. The bedstead, washstand, chairs and table
had ceased to be furniture, and had become part of the barricade.

"Let me carry your things into the dining-room now,