She seemed to sense his emotion and excitement, and, still kneeling, raised a pair of smiling eyes:
“It is my father’s God,” she said. “To him, mos’ of all; I speag me my petitions.”
“Why to him?” he asked, deeply moved.
“Because,” she answered simply, “he, too, lig’ me, knew trobble. Thas why I speag to him my heart—account I know he—listen!”
XXIII
The Tojin-san took what measures he could for their future protection. An exploration throughout the seven-storied pagoda brought to light some old weapons—a rifle and a sword, once evidently her father’s. They were out of date, and in bad condition, but better than nothing, he decided.
As she had shown him a small exit in the rear, of which the outside of the pagoda gave no inkling, he decided to barricade the main entrance. This he did, after a gigantic effort, by piling several of the images before it until they effectually blocked the entrance. As their faces were turned outward he surmised their weird effect upon the marauders when, after forcing the doors, they should find themselves fronted with so formidable a guard as these.