After the ceremony of initiation was over, Satya- nanda led Mahendra to a secluded place. When they had taken their seats .Satyananda said : fi My child, I regard it as a sign of God's favour to our cause that you have taken this vow. A very great service to the Mother will be done by you. Listen to my orders with care now. I do not want you to rove in the woods, fighting, like Jivananda and Bhavananda. You will have now to return to Padachinha and to pursue an ascetic's avocations at home." Mahendra was sorry and surprised to hear this, but said nothing. "At present," the monk went on, "we have no place to shelter us, none where we might stock our provisions and shut ourselves up securely for a few days, if pressed by a powerful force. We have no forti- fications. You have got big buildings and your village is in your own possession. I desire to build a fortress there. If we could throw a ditch and ramparts round the village, establish watches at intervals, and place guns on the ramparts, we could make a good fort altogether. You just go to your home. By and by, a thousand Children will reach your place. You will then have to begin to build the fortifications with them. You will build a strong iron chamber in the fort, which will be the treasury of the Children. I shall send to your place chests filled with gold which you will require
