It's only the people from the village.

Old men, and women, and children--boys, of course.

I'm surprised that they should come for they know they can't get in." But even as he spoke, there came a thunderous sound of knocking at the outer door and the sharp grounding of arms--a noise as ominous as it was unmistakable.
"There are soldiers, too.

They are here much sooner than I thought they could come!" exclaimed Boris.

"Here, into that passage with you! Listen! Follow the arrows! They will lead you down.