"Dey have put a guard at de gate. Dey prepare dis time--an not let us go." "Isn't there any back way?" asked Frank, once more, of the landlord, who now rejoined them, after having barred all the windows. "Dere is; but de people are on de guard." "Are there no soldiers about--no police? Can't some one go and get help?" The landlord shook his head despondingly. "But there must be some way of getting rid of the mob," said Frank, impatiently. "Can't you explain that it was all a mistake?" The landlord sighed. "I haf try," he said, in a doleful voice. "And dey say I mus put you out of de house. Dat I can not do--so I sall haf to soffaire. Listen!" And at that moment the crash of glass below interrupted him, and formed a striking commentary on his remarks. "Dey vill break de vindow," said he, "an dey vill try to break de door; but I haf barricade as well as I can." "Are we at all safe?" asked Frank. The landlord shook his head. "Not mooch. If dey get enrage enough, dey break in, and den"--a significant shrug ended the sentence. "Have you any arms--fire-arms?" asked Frank, after a thoughtful pause. "I haf a small shot gun." "Give me that," interrupted Frank. "But I haf no powdaire," said the landlord. At this Frank turned away in despair. "Can't we get to some other room than this?" he asked of the driver. "Isn't there a place where we can have some chance of defending ourselves?" The driver had been silent for some time, and buried in thought. He did not hear Frank's words, but as he spoke, he looked earnestly at him, and said,-- "I haf a plan. It may be no good--but it is de only one." "Ah," asked Frank, eagerly, "what is that?" "You must all disguise." "Disguise?" "Yes--female dress. I sall try to get some." "But they would recognize us all the same." "No--de plan is dis. You all disguise--stay below--I sall sit in de carriage; de horses are all ready now. Ef de people do break in, dey will all rush up stair to here. You sall be down stair in de stable. De moment de crowd come, I will haf de gates opened. You sall spring in--an den I whip up, an make a fly for life. You ond'stan?" The driver spoke hurriedly. Frank understood him, and at once approved. At this the driver went off to get the landlord to procure female dresses. That worthy hurried away, and soon returned with about twenty gowns, bonnets, and petticoats. These he threw upon the floor, and implored them to make haste, for the people outside were talking of getting a beam to batter in the door. He had implored them not to, but they scorned his prayers.