Fifteen thousand roubles were soon collected for the Governor, but even before they were presented to him the Rabbi, in mortal terror of that firebrand of a David, had rushed to inquire whether Self-Defence was legal, and might the Talmud-Torah Hall be legitimately used for drilling. Sharp came an order that Jews found with firearms or in conclave for non-religious purposes should be summarily shot. And so, when the _Shtadlonim_ arrived with the fifteen thousand roubles, the Governor was able to point out severely that if a _pogrom_ did occur they would have only themselves to blame. The Jews of Milovka had begun to carry pistols like revolutionaries; they planned illegal assemblies in halls; was it to be wondered at if the League of True Russians grew restive? However, he would do his best with these inadequate roubles to have extra precautions taken, but let them root out the evil weeds that had sprung up in their midst, else even his authority might be overborne by the righteous indignation of the loyal children of the Little Father. Tremblingly the Ambassadors crept back with their empty money-bags. Poor David now found it impossible to get anybody to a meeting. His landlord had forbidden any more gatherings in the inn, and his original audience would have called as a deputation upon David to beg him to withdraw from the town, but that might have been considered a conspirative meeting. So one of the Ambassadors was sent to inform the landlord instead. 'Don't you think I've already ordered him off my premises?' 'But he is still here!' 'Alas! He threatens to shoot me--or anybody who _massers_ (informs),' said the poor landlord. The Ambassador shivered. 'As if I would betray a brother-in-Israel!' added the landlord reproachfully. 'No, no--of course not,' said the Ambassador. 'These fellows are best left alone; they wear fuses under their waistcoats instead of _Tsitsith_ (ritual fringes). Let us hope, however, a sudden death may rid us of him.' 'Amen,' said the landlord fervently. Not that David had any reason for clinging to so squalid a hostel. But his blood was up, and he took a malicious pleasure in inflicting his perilous presence upon his prudential host. Reduced now to buttonholing individuals, he consoled himself with the thought that the population was best tackled by units. One fool or coward was enough to infect or betray a whole gathering. Still intent on the sinews of war, he sallied out after breakfast, and approached Erbstein the Banker. Erbstein held up his hands. 'But I've just given a thousand roubles to guard us from a _pogrom_!' 'That was for the Governor. Give me only a hundred for Self-Defence.' The Banker puffed tranquilly at his big cigar. 'But our rights are bound to come in the end. We can only get them gradually. Full rights now are nonsense--impossible. It is bad tactics to ask for what you cannot get. Only in common with Russia can our emancipation----'