When Isobel returned, Crawford briefed his seven followers. They were to operate in teams of two. One of his men, complete with quarterstaff would accompany each of the others. Abe with Jake, Bey with Cliff, and he'd be with Isobel. Elmer and Kenny would be the other twosome, and, both armed with quarterstaffs would be troubleshooters. "We're playing it off the cuff," he said. "Do what comes naturally to get this thing under control. If you run into each other, co-operate, of course. If there's trouble, use your wrist radios." He looked at Abe and Bey. "I know you two are packing guns underneath those _gandouras_. I hope you know enough not to use them." Abe and Bey looked innocent. Homer turned and led the way into the truck. "O.K., let's get going." VII Driving into town over the dusty, pocked road, Homer gave the newcomers to his group more background on the care and control of the genus _mob_. He was obviously speaking through considerable experience. "Using these quarterstaffs brings to mind some of the other supposedly innoxious devices used by police authorities in controlling unruly demonstrations," he said. "Some of them are beauties. For instance, I was in Tangier when the Moroccans put on their revolution against the French and for the return of the Sultan. The rumor went through town that the mob was going to storm the French Consulate the next day. During the night, the French brought in elements of the Foreign Legion and entrenched the consulate grounds. But their commander had another problem. Journalists were all over town and so were tourists. Tangier was still supposedly an international zone and the French were in no position to slaughter the citizens. So they brought in some special equipment. One item was a vehicle that looked quite a bit like a gasoline truck, but was filled with water and armored against thrown cobblestones and such. On the roof of the cabin was what looked something like a fifty caliber but which was actually a hose which shot water at terrific pressure. When the mob came, the French unlimbered this vehicle and all the journalists could say was that the mob was dispersed by squirting water on it, which doesn't sound too bad after all." Isobel said, "Well, certainly that's preferable to firing on them." Homer looked at her oddly. "Possibly. However, I was standing next to the Moorish boy who was cut entirely in half by the pressure spray of water." The expression on the girl's face sickened. Homer said, "They had another interesting device for dispersing mobs. It was a noise bomb. The French set off several." "A noise bomb?" Cliff said. "I don't get it." "They make a tremendous noise, but do nothing else. However, members of the mob who aren't really too interested in the whole thing--just sort of along for the fun--figure that things are getting earnest and that the troops are shelling them. So they remember some business they had elsewhere and take off."