"Well, so long as she has not got on the broken-down stays and the Salvation Army bonnet without a crown, which you may remember she wore after she had fallen into the hands of your fraternity, I am sure I do not mind.

In fact I should be delighted to see anything so pleasant." At this moment a distinct sound of female tittering arose from beyond the door.

Tommy barked and Bickley stepped towards it, but I called to him.
"Look out! Where there are women there are sure to be men.

Let us be ready against accidents." So we armed ourselves with pistols, that is Bickley and I did, Bastin being fortified solely with a Bible.
Then we advanced, a remarkable and dilapidated trio, and dragged the door wide.

Instantly there was a scurry and we caught sight of women's forms wearing only flowers, and but few of these, running over white sand towards groups of men armed with odd-looking clubs, some of which were fashioned to the shapes of swords and spears.