The children could hear that the headmen had surrounded the hut to protect their treasure as long as might be from the enemy.

But none dare to come in after the Psammead's sudden fierce biting of the headman.
'Now, Jane,' said Cyril, very quickly.

'I'll take the Amulet, you stand ready to hold up the charm, and be sure you don't let it go as you come through.' He made a step forward, but at that instant a great crackling overhead ended in a blaze of sunlight.

The roof had been broken in at one side, and great slabs of it were being lifted off by two spears.

As the children trembled and winked in the new light, large dark hands tore down the wall, and a dark face, with a blobby fat nose, looked over the gap.