When the town was quiet, therefore, all were employed in transferring valuable goods there, and the house was then locked up and left to its fate.

Against a mere rising of the rabble the latter might have been successfully defended; but there was little doubt that, before leaving the town, the troops would join the fanatics; and in that case, a house not built with a special eye for defence could hardly hope to hold out, against persistent attack.
The bank, however, might hope to make a stout defence.

It was built of massive stone, the lower windows were barred, and a strong barricade was built against the massive doors.

A hundred and twenty resolute men, all well armed, could hold it against even a persistent attack, if unsupported by artillery.
Early in the afternoon, all felt that the critical moment had approached.

Throughout the night a fire had raged, from the opposite side of the great square; where several deserted houses had been broken into, and plundered, by the mob; but the soldiers stationed in the square had prevented any further disorder.
Now, however, parties of troops from the forts began to pour in.