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There followed a babble of voices speaking all at once; afterwards the

sa like the wind--

"Spiridion, open the door before we break it in"

Prosper said again--"Will you havea deep note, the voice of Galors

As if at a signal swords began to batter at the door, poh on the inside

Prosper snapped it off short "One less," he said; "but they will soon

be done with it"

"My friend," said Spiridion, as shivering with cold (his night-

shirt being over short for the season), "my friend, I must die What

can I do for thee? The tiet a sword and harness, and I will keep

the door till thou art ready Then ill open it suddenly, and do

what becomes us"

"Dear friend," Spiridion said mildly, "I have no sword And since I am

to die, I will die as well in reat fool," said Prosper "Yet I will defend you

as well as I can Get behind , and

cannot hold out er"

Their assailants, without any further speech a themselves, beat at

the door furiously, or with short runs hurtled against it with their

shoulders It seemed impossible it should stand, yet stand it did

Then one, Galors, cried suddenly out, "Fetch a hatchet!" and another