第14章

Theblindmanpassedhishandlightlyoverthepoorfellow’sface，andfindingthathiselbowswereplantedonthetable，thathischinrestedonhistwohands，thatheleanedeagerlyforward，andthathiswholemannerexpressedtheutmostinterestandanxiety，pausedforaminuteasthoughhedesiredthewidowtoobservethisfully，andthenmadeanswer:

’It’sintheworld，boldBarnaby，themerryworld;notinsolitaryplaceslikethoseyoupassyourtimein，butincrowds，andwherethere’snoiseandrattle。’

’Good！good！’criedBarnaby，rubbinghishands。’Yes！Ilovethat。Griplovesittoo。Itsuitsusboth。That’sbrave！’

’——Thekindofplaces，’saidtheblindman，’thatayoungfellowlikes，andinwhichagoodsonmaydomoreforhismother，andhimselftoboot，inamonth，thanhecouldhereinallhislife——

thatis，ifhehadafriend，youknow，andsomeonetoadvisewith。’

’Youhearthis，mother？’criedBarnaby，turningtoherwithdelight。’Nevertellmeweshouldn’theedit，ifitlayshiningatoutfeet。Whydoweheeditsomuchnow？Whydoyoutoilfrommorninguntilnight？’

’Surely，’saidtheblindman，’surely。Haveyounoanswer，widow？

Isyourmind，’heslowlyadded，’notmadeupyet？’

’Letmespeakwithyou，’sheanswered，’apart。’

’Layyourhanduponmysleeve，’saidStagg，arisingfromthetable;

’andleadmewhereyouwill。Courage，boldBarnaby。We’lltalkmoreofthis:I’veafancyforyou。WaittheretillIcomeback。

Now，widow。’

Sheledhimoutatthedoor，andintothelittlegarden，wheretheystopped。

’Youareafitagent，’shesaid，inahalfbreathlessmanner，’andwellrepresentthemanwhosentyouhere。’

’I’lltellhimthatyousaidso，’Staggretorted。’Hehasaregardforyou，andwillrespectmethemore(ifpossible)foryourpraise。Wemusthaveourrights，widow。’

’Rights！Doyouknow，’shesaid，’thatawordfromme——’

’Whydoyoustop？’returnedtheblindmancalmly，afteralongpause。’DoIknowthatawordfromyouwouldplacemyfriendinthelastpositionofthedanceoflife？Yes，Ido。Whatofthat？

Itwillneverbespoken，widow。’

’Youaresureofthat？’

’Quite——sosure，thatIdon’tcomeheretodiscussthequestion。I

saywemusthaveourrights，orwemustbeboughtoff。Keeptothatpoint，orletmereturntomyyoungfriend，forIhaveaninterestinthelad，anddesiretoputhiminthewayofmakinghisfortune。Bah！youneedn’tspeak，’headdedhastily;’Iknowwhatyouwouldsay:youhavehintedatitoncealready。HaveInofeelingforyou，becauseIamblind？No，Ihavenot。Whydoyouexpectme，beingindarkness，tobebetterthanmenwhohavetheirsight——whyshouldyou？IsthehandofHeavenmoremanifestinmyhavingnoeyes，thaninyourhavingtwo？It’sthecantofyoufolkstobehorrifiedifablindmanrobs，orlies，orsteals;ohyes，it’sfarworseinhim，whocanbarelyliveonthefewhalfpencethatarethrowntohiminstreets，thaninyou，whocansee，andwork，andarenotdependentonthemerciesoftheworld。

Acurseonyou！Youwhohavefivesensesmaybewickedatyourpleasure;wewhohavefour，andwantthemostimportant，aretoliveandbemoralonouraffliction。Thetruecharityandjusticeofrichtopoor，alltheworldover！’

Hepausedamomentwhenhehadsaidthesewords，andcaughtthesoundofmoney，jinglinginherhand。

’Well？’hecried，quicklyresuminghisformermanner。’Thatshouldleadtosomething。Thepoint，widow？’

’Firstanswermeonequestion，’shereplied。’Yousayheiscloseathand。HasheleftLondon？’

’Beingcloseathand，widow，itwouldseemhehas，’returnedtheblindman。

’Imean，forgood？Youknowthat。’

’Yes，forgood。Thetruthis，widow，thathismakingalongerstaytheremighthavehaddisagreeableconsequences。Hehascomeawayforthatreason。’

’Listen，’saidthewidow，tellingsomemoneyout，uponabenchbesidethem。’Count。’

’Six，’saidtheblindman，listeningattentively。’Anymore？’

’Theyarethesavings，’sheanswered，’offiveyears。Sixguineas。’

Heputouthishandforoneofthecoins;feltitcarefully，putitbetweenhisteeth，rungitonthebench;andnoddedtohertoproceed。

’Thesehavebeenscrapedtogetherandlaidby，lestsicknessordeathshouldseparatemysonandme。Theyhavebeenpurchasedatthepriceofmuchhunger，hardlabour，andwantofrest。IfyouCANtakethem——do——onconditionthatyouleavethisplaceupontheinstant，andenternomoreintothatroom，wherehesitsnow，expectingyourreturn。’

’Sixguineas，’saidtheblindman，shakinghishead，’thoughofthefullestweightthatwereevercoined，fallveryfarshortoftwentypounds，widow。’

’Forsuchasum，asyouknow，Imustwritetoadistantpartofthecountry。Todothat，andreceiveananswer，Imusthavetime。’

’Twodays？’saidStagg。

’More。’

’Fourdays？’

’Aweek。Returnonthisdayweek，atthesamehour，butnottothehouse。Waitatthecornerofthelane。’

’Ofcourse，’saidtheblindman，withacraftylook，’Ishallfindyouthere？’

’WhereelsecanItakerefuge？Isitnotenoughthatyouhavemadeabeggarofme，andthatIhavesacrificedmywholestore，sohardlyearned，topreservethishome？’

’Humph！’saidtheblindman，aftersomeconsideration。’Setmewithmyfacetowardsthepointyouspeakof，andinthemiddleoftheroad。Isthisthespot？’

’Itis。’

’Onthisdayweekatsunset。Andthinkofhimwithindoors——Forthepresent，goodnight。’

Shemadehimnoanswer，nordidhestopforany。Hewentslowlyaway，turninghisheadfromtimetotime，andstoppingtolisten，asifhewerecurioustoknowwhetherhewaswatchedbyanyone。

Theshadowsofnightwereclosingfastaround，andhewassoonlostinthegloom。Itwasnot，however，untilshehadtraversedthelanefromendtoend，andmadesurethathewasgone，thatshere-

enteredthecottage，andhurriedlybarredthedoorandwindow。

’Mother！’saidBarnaby。’Whatisthematter？Whereistheblindman？’

’Heisgone。’

’Gone！’hecried，startingup。’Imusthavemoretalkwithhim。

Whichwaydidhetake？’

’Idon’tknow，’sheanswered，foldingherarmsabouthim。’Youmustnotgooutto-night。Thereareghostsanddreamsabroad。’

’Ay？’saidBarnaby，inafrightenedwhisper。

’Itisnotsafetostir。Wemustleavethisplaceto-morrow。’

’Thisplace！Thiscottage——andthelittlegarden，mother！’

’Yes！To-morrowmorningatsunrise。WemusttraveltoLondon;

loseourselvesinthatwideplace——therewouldbesometraceofusinanyothertown——thentravelonagain，andfindsomenewabode。’

LittlepersuasionwasrequiredtoreconcileBarnabytoanythingthatpromisedchange。Inanotherminute，hewaswildwithdelight;

inanother，fullofgriefattheprospectofpartingwithhisfriendsthedogs;inanother，wildagain;thenhewasfearfulofwhatshehadsaidtopreventhiswanderingabroadthatnight，andfullofterrorsandstrangequestions。Hislight-heartednessintheendsurmountedallhisotherfeelings，andlyingdowninhisclothestotheendthathemightbereadyonthemorrow，hesoonfellfastasleepbeforethepoorturffire。

Hismotherdidnotclosehereyes，butsatbesidehim，watching。

Everybreathofwindsoundedinherearslikethatdreadedfootstepatthedoor，orlikethathanduponthelatch，andmadethecalmsummernight，anightofhorror。Atlengththewelcomedayappeared。Whenshehadmadethelittlepreparationswhichwereneedfulfortheirjourney，andhadprayeduponherkneeswithmanytears，sherousedBarnaby，whojumpedupgailyathersummons。

Hisclotheswerefewenough，andtocarryGripwasalabouroflove。Asthesunshedhisearliestbeamsupontheearth，theyclosedthedooroftheirdesertedhome，andturnedaway。Theskywasblueandbright。Theairwasfreshandfilledwithathousandperfumes。Barnabylookedupward，andlaughedwithallhisheart。

Butitwasadayheusuallydevotedtoalongramble，andoneofthedogs——theugliestofthemall——cameboundingup，andjumpingroundhiminthefulnessofhisjoy。Hehadtobidhimgobackinasurlytone，andhisheartsmotehimwhilehedidso。Thedogretreated;turnedwithahalf-incredulous，half-imploringlook;

camealittleback;andstopped。

Itwasthelastappealofanoldcompanionandafaithfulfriend——

castoff。Barnabycouldbearnomore，andasheshookhisheadandwavedhisplaymatehome，heburstintotears。

’Ohmother，mother，howmournfulhewillbewhenhescratchesatthedoor，andfindsitalwaysshut！’

Therewassuchasenseofhomeinthethought，thatthoughherowneyesoverflowedshewouldnothaveobliteratedtherecollectionofit，eitherfromherownmindorfromhis，forthewealthofthewholewideworld。

Chapter47

IntheexhaustlesscatalogueofHeaven’smerciestomankind，thepowerwehaveoffindingsomegermsofcomfortinthehardesttrialsmusteveroccupytheforemostplace;notonlybecauseitsupportsandupholdsuswhenwemostrequiretobesustained，butbecauseinthissourceofconsolationthereissomething，wehavereasontobelieve，ofthedivinespirit;somethingofthatgoodnesswhichdetectsamidstourownevildoings，aredeemingquality;

somethingwhich，eveninourfallennature，wepossessincommonwiththeangels;whichhaditsbeingintheoldtimewhentheytrodtheearth，andlingersonityet，inpity。

Howoften，ontheirjourney，didthewidowrememberwithagratefulheart，thatoutofhisdeprivationBarnaby’scheerfulnessandaffectionsprung！Howoftendidshecalltomindthatbutforthat，hemighthavebeensullen，morose，unkind，farremovedfromher——vicious，perhaps，andcruel！Howoftenhadshecauseforcomfort，inhisstrength，andhope，andinhissimplenature！

Thosefeeblepowersofmindwhichrenderedhimsosoonforgetfulofthepast，saveinbriefgleamsandflashes，——eventheywereacomfortnow。Theworldtohimwasfullofhappiness;ineverytree，andplant，andflower，ineverybird，andbeast，andtinyinsectwhomabreathofsummerwindlaidlowupontheground，hehaddelight。Hisdelightwashers;andwheremanyawisesonwouldhavemadehersorrowful，thispoorlight-heartedidiotfilledherbreastwiththankfulnessandlove。

Theirstockofmoneywaslow，butfromthehoardshehadtoldintotheblindman’shand，thewidowhadwithheldoneguinea。This，withthefewpenceshepossessedbesides，wastotwopersonsoftheirfrugalhabits，agoodlysuminbank。MoreovertheyhadGripincompany;andwhentheymustotherwisehavechangedtheguinea，itwasbuttomakehimexhibitoutsideanalehousedoor，orinavillagestreet，orinthegroundsorgardensofamansionofthebettersort，andscoreswhowouldhavegivennothingincharity，werereadytobargainformoreamusementfromthetalkingbird。

Oneday——fortheymovedslowly，andalthoughtheyhadmanyridesincartsandwaggons，wereontheroadaweek——Barnaby，withGripuponhisshoulderandhismotherfollowing，beggedpermissionatatrimlodgetogouptothegreathouse，attheotherendoftheavenue，andshowhisraven。Themanwithinwasinclinedtogivethemadmittance，andwasindeedabouttodoso，whenastoutgentlemanwithalongwhipinhishand，andaflushedfacewhichseemedtoindicatethathehadhadhismorning’sdraught，rodeuptothegate，andcalledinaloudvoiceandwithmoreoathsthantheoccasionseemedtowarranttohaveitopeneddirectly。

’Whohastthougothere？’saidthegentlemanangrily，asthemanthrewthegatewideopen，andpulledoffhishat，’whoarethese？

Eh？artabeggar，woman？’

Thewidowansweredwithacurtsey，thattheywerepoortravellers。

’Vagrants，’saidthegentleman，’vagrantsandvagabonds。Theewishtobemadeacquaintedwiththecage，dostthee——thecage，thestocks，andthewhipping-post？Wheredostcomefrom？’

Shetoldhiminatimidmanner，——forhewasveryloud，hoarse，andred-faced，——andbesoughthimnottobeangry，fortheymeantnoharm，andwouldgoupontheirwaythatmoment。

’Don’thetoosureofthat，’repliedthegentleman，’wedon’tallowvagrantstoroamaboutthisplace。Iknowwhatthouwant’st——

straylinendryingonhedges，andstraypoultry，eh？Whathastgotinthatbasket，lazyhound？’

’Grip，Grip，Grip——Griptheclever，Gripthewicked，Griptheknowing——Grip，Grip，Grip，’criedtheraven，whomBarnabyhadshutupontheapproachofthissternpersonage。’I’madevilI’madevilI’madevil，NeversaydieHurrahBowwowwow，Pollyputthekettleonwe’llallhavetea。’

’Taketheverminout，scoundrel，’saidthegentleman，’andletmeseehim。’

Barnaby，thuscondescendinglyaddressed，producedhisbird，butnotwithoutmuchfearandtrembling，andsethimdownupontheground;

whichhehadnosoonerdonethanGripdrewfiftycorksatleast，andthenbegantodance;atthesametimeeyeingthegentlemanwithsurprisinginsolenceofmanner，andscrewinghisheadsomuchononesidethatheappeareddesirousofscrewingitoffuponthespot。

Thecork-drawingseemedtomakeagreaterimpressiononthegentleman’smind，thantheraven’spowerofspeech，andwasindeedparticularlyadaptedtohishabitsandcapacity。Hedesiredtohavethatdoneagain，butdespitehisbeingveryperemptory，andnotwithstandingthatBarnabycoaxedtotheutmost，Gripturnedadeafeartotherequest，andpreservedadeadsilence。

’Bringhimalong，’saidthegentleman，pointingtothehouse。ButGrip，whohadwatchedtheaction，anticipatedhismaster，byhoppingonbeforethem;——constantlyflappinghiswings，andscreaming’cook！’meanwhile，asahintperhapsthattherewascompanycoming，andasmallcollationwouldbeacceptable。

Barnabyandhismotherwalkedon，oneithersideofthegentlemanonhorseback，whosurveyedeachofthemfromtimetotimeinaproudandcoarsemanner，andoccasionallythunderedoutsomequestion，thetoneofwhichalarmedBarnabysomuchthathecouldfindnoanswer，and，asamatterofcourse，couldmakehimnoreply。Ononeoftheseoccasions，whenthegentlemanappeareddisposedtoexercisehishorsewhip，thewidowventuredtoinformhiminalowvoiceandwithtearsinhereyes，thathersonwasofweakmind。

’Anidiot，eh？’saidthegentleman，lookingatBarnabyashespoke。

’Andhowlonghastthoubeenanidiot？’

’Sheknows，’wasBarnaby’stimidanswer，pointingtohismother——

’I——always，Ibelieve。’

’Fromhisbirth，’saidthewidow。

’Idon’tbelieveit，’criedthegentleman，’notabitofit。It’sanexcusenottowork。There’snothinglikefloggingtocurethatdisorder。I’dmakeadifferenceinhimintenminutes，I’llbebound。’

’Heavenhasmadenoneinmorethantwicetenyears，sir，’saidthewidowmildly。

’Thenwhydon’tyoushuthimup？wepayenoughforcountyinstitutions，damn’em。Butthou’dratherdraghimabouttoexcitecharity——ofcourse。Ay，Iknowthee。’

Now，thisgentlemanhadvariousendearingappellationsamonghisintimatefriends。Bysomehewascalled’acountrygentlemanofthetrueschool，’bysome’afineoldcountrygentleman，’bysome’asportinggentleman，’bysome’athorough-bredEnglishman，’bysome’agenuineJohnBull;’buttheyallagreedinonerespect，andthatwas，thatitwasapitytherewerenotmorelikehim，andthatbecausetherewerenot，thecountrywasgoingtorackandruineveryday。Hewasinthecommissionofthepeace，andcouldwritehisnamealmostlegibly;buthisgreatestqualificationswere，thathewasmoreseverewithpoachers，wasabettershot，aharderrider，hadbetterhorses，keptbetterdogs，couldeatmoresolidfood，drinkmorestrongwine，gotobedeverynightmoredrunkandgetupeverymorningmoresober，thananymaninthecounty。Inknowledgeofhorsefleshhewasalmostequaltoafarrier，instablelearninghesurpassedhisownheadgroom，andingluttonynotapigonhisestatewasamatchforhim。HehadnoseatinParliamenthimself，buthewasextremelypatriotic，andusuallydrovehisvotersuptothepollwithhisownhands。Hewaswarmlyattachedtochurchandstate，andneverappointedtothelivinginhisgiftanybutathree-bottlemanandafirst-ratefox-hunter。Hemistrustedthehonestyofallpoorpeoplewhocouldreadandwrite，andhadasecretjealousyofhisownwife(ayoungladywhomhehadmarriedforwhathisfriendscalled’thegoodoldEnglishreason，’

thatherfather’spropertyadjoinedhisown)forpossessingthoseaccomplishmentsinagreaterdegreethanhimself。Inshort，Barnabybeinganidiot，andGripacreatureofmerebruteinstinct，itwouldbeveryhardtosaywhatthisgentlemanwas。

Herodeuptothedoorofahandsomehouseapproachedbyagreatflightofsteps，whereamanwaswaitingtotakehishorse，andledthewayintoalargehall，which，spaciousasitwas，wastaintedwiththefumesoflastnight’sstaledebauch。Greatcoats，riding-

whips，bridles，top-boots，spurs，andsuchgear，werestrewnaboutonallsides，andformed，withsomehugestags’antlers，andafewportraitsofdogsandhorses，itsprincipalembellishments。

Throwinghimselfintoagreatchair(inwhich，bythebye，heoftensnoredawaythenight，whenhehadbeen，accordingtohisadmirers，afinercountrygentlemanthanusual)hebadethemantotellhismistresstocomedown:andpresentlythereappeared，alittleflurried，asitseemed，bytheunwontedsummons，aladymuchyoungerthanhimself，whohadtheappearanceofbeingindelicatehealth，andnottoohappy。

’Here！Thou’stnodelightinfollowingthehoundsasanEnglishwomanshouldhave，’saidthegentleman。’Seetothishere。That’llpleasetheeperhaps。’

Theladysmiled，satdownatalittledistancefromhim，andglancedatBarnabywithalookofpity。

’He’sanidiot，thewomansays，’observedthegentleman，shakinghishead;’Idon’tbelieveit。’

’Areyouhismother？’askedthelady。

Sheansweredyes。

’What’stheuseofaskingHER？’saidthegentleman，thrustinghishandsintohisbreechespockets。’She’lltelltheeso，ofcourse。

Mostlikelyhe’shired，atsomuchaday。There。Geton。Makehimdosomething。’

Griphavingbythistimerecoveredhisurbanity，condescended，atBarnaby’ssolicitation，torepeathisvariousphrasesofspeech，andtogothroughthewholeofhisperformanceswiththeutmostsuccess。Thecorks，andtheneversaydie，affordedthegentlemansomuchdelightthathedemandedtherepetitionofthispartoftheentertainment，untilGripgotintohisbasket，andpositivelyrefusedtosayanotherword，goodorbad。Theladytoo，wasmuchamusedwithhim;andtheclosingpointofhisobstinacysodelightedherhusbandthatheburstintoaroaroflaughter，anddemandedhisprice。

Barnabylookedasthoughhedidn’tunderstandhismeaning。

Probablyhedidnot。

’Hisprice，’saidthegentleman，rattlingthemoneyinhispockets，’whatdostwantforhim？Howmuch？’

’He’snottobesold，’repliedBarnaby，shuttingupthebasketinagreathurry，andthrowingthestrapoverhisshoulder。’Mother，comeaway。’

’Thouseesthowmuchofanidiotheis，book-learner，’saidthegentleman，lookingscornfullyathiswife。’Hecanmakeabargain。

Whatdostwantforhim，oldwoman？’

’Heismyson’sconstantcompanion，’saidthewidow。’Heisnottobesold，sir，indeed。’

’Nottobesold！’criedthegentleman，growingtentimesredder，hoarser，andlouderthanbefore。’Nottobesold！’

’Indeedno，’sheanswered。’Wehaveneverthoughtofpartingwithhim，sir，Idoassureyou。’

Hewasevidentlyabouttomakeaverypassionateretort，whenafewmurmuredwordsfromhiswifehappeningtocatchhisear，heturnedsharplyround，andsaid，’Eh？What？’

’Wecanhardlyexpectthemtosellthebird，againsttheirowndesire，’shefaltered。’Iftheyprefertokeephim——’

’Prefertokeephim！’heechoed。’Thesepeople，whogotrampingaboutthecountrya-pilferingandvagabondisingonallhands，prefertokeepabird，whenalandedproprietorandajusticeaskshisprice！Thatoldwoman’sbeentoschool。Iknowshehas。

Don’ttellmeno，’heroaredtothewidow，’Isay，yes。’

Barnaby’smotherpleadedguiltytotheaccusation，andhopedtherewasnoharminit。

’Noharm！’saidthegentleman。’No。Noharm。Noharm，yeoldrebel，notabitofharm。Ifmyclerkwashere，I’dsetyeinthestocks，Iwould，orlayyeinjailforprowlingupanddown，onthelook-outforpettylarcenies，yelimbofagipsy。Here，Simon，putthesepilferersout，shove’emintotheroad，outwith’em！Yedon’twanttosellthebird，yethatcomeheretobeg，don’tye？

Iftheyan’toutindouble-quick，setthedogsupon’em！’

Theywaitedfornofurtherdismissal，butfledprecipitately，leavingthegentlemantostormawaybyhimself(forthepoorladyhadalreadyretreated)，andmakingagreatmanyvainattemptstosilenceGrip，who，excitedbythenoise，drewcorksenoughforacityfeastastheyhurrieddowntheavenue，andappearedtocongratulatehimselfbeyondmeasureonhavingbeenthecauseofthedisturbance。Whentheyhadnearlyreachedthelodge，anotherservant，emergingfromtheshrubbery，feignedtobeveryactiveinorderingthemoff，butthismanputacrownintothewidow’shand，andwhisperingthathisladysentit，thrustthemgentlyfromthegate。

Thisincidentonlysuggestedtothewidow’smind，whentheyhaltedatanalehousesomemilesfurtheron，andheardthejustice’scharacterasgivenbyhisfriends，thatperhapssomethingmorethancapacityofstomachandtastesforthekennelandthestable，wererequiredtoformeitheraperfectcountrygentleman，athoroughbredEnglishman，oragenuineJohnBull;andthatpossiblythetermsweresometimesmisappropriated，nottosaydisgraced。Shelittlethoughtthen，thatacircumstancesoslightwouldeverinfluencetheirfuturefortunes;buttimeandexperienceenlightenedherinthisrespect。

’Mother，’saidBarnaby，astheyweresittingnextdayinawaggonwhichwastotakethemwithintenmilesofthecapital，’we’regoingtoLondonfirst，yousaid。Shallweseethatblindmanthere？’

Shewasabouttoanswer’Heavenforbid！’butcheckedherself，andtoldhimNo，shethoughtnot;whydidheask？

’He’sawiseman，’saidBarnaby，withathoughtfulcountenance。’I

wishthatwemaymeetwithhimagain。Whatwasitthathesaidofcrowds？Thatgoldwastobefoundwherepeoplecrowded，andnotamongthetreesandinsuchquietplaces？Hespokeasifhelovedit;Londonisacrowdedplace;Ithinkweshallmeethimthere。’

’Butwhydoyoudesiretoseehim，love？’sheasked。

’Because，’saidBarnaby，lookingwistfullyather，’hetalkedtomeaboutgold，whichisararething，andsaywhatyouwill，athingyouwouldliketohave，Iknow。Andbecausehecameandwentawaysostrangely——justaswhite-headedoldmencomesometimestomybed’sfootinthenight，andsaywhatIcan’trememberwhenthebrightdayreturns。Hetoldmehe’dcomeback。Iwonderwhyhebrokehisword！’

’Butyouneverthoughtofbeingrichorgay，before，dearBarnaby。

Youhavealwaysbeencontented。’

Helaughedandbadehersaythatagain，thencried，’Ayay——ohyes，’andlaughedoncemore。Thensomethingpassedthatcaughthisfancy，andthetopicwanderedfromhismind，andwassucceededbyanotherjustasfleeting。

Butitwasplainfromwhathehadsaid，andfromhisreturningtothepointmorethanoncethatday，andonthenext，thattheblindman’svisit，andindeedhiswords，hadtakenstrongpossessionofhismind。Whethertheideaofwealthhadoccurredtohimforthefirsttimeonlookingatthegoldencloudsthatevening——andimageswereoftenpresentedtohisthoughtsbyoutwardobjectsquiteasremoteanddistant;orwhethertheirpoorandhumblewayoflifehadsuggestedit，bycontrast，longago;orwhethertheaccident(ashewoulddeemit)oftheblindman’spursuingthecurrentofhisownremarks，haddonesoatthemoment;orhehadbeenimpressedbythemerecircumstanceofthemanbeingblind，and，therefore，unlikeanyonewithwhomhehadtalkedbefore;itwasimpossibletotell。Shetriedeverymeanstodiscover，butinvain;andtheprobabilityisthatBarnabyhimselfwasequallyinthedark。

Itfilledherwithuneasinesstofindhimharpingonthisstring，butallthatshecoulddo，wastoleadhimquicklytosomeothersubject，andtodismissitfromhisbrain。Tocautionhimagainsttheirvisitor，toshowanyfearorsuspicioninreferencetohim，wouldonlybe，shefeared，toincreasethatinterestwithwhichBarnabyregardedhim，andtostrengthenhisdesiretomeethimonceagain。Shehoped，byplungingintothecrowd，toridherselfofherterriblepursuer，andthen，byjourneyingtoadistanceandobservingincreasedcaution，ifthatwerepossible，toliveagainunknown，insecrecyandpeace。

Theyreached，incourseoftime，theirhalting-placewithintenmilesofLondon，andlaythereforthenight，afterbargainingtobecarriedonforatriflenextday，inalightvanwhichwasreturningempty，andwastostartatfiveo’clockinthemorning。

Thedriverwaspunctual，theroadgood——saveforthedust，theweatherbeingveryhotanddry——andatsevenintheforenoonofFridaythesecondofJune，onethousandsevenhundredandeighty，theyalightedatthefootofWestminsterBridge，badetheirconductorfarewell，andstoodalone，together，onthescorchingpavement。Forthefreshnesswhichnightshedsuponsuchbusythoroughfareshadalreadydeparted，andthesunwasshiningwithuncommonlustre。

Chapter48

Uncertainwheretogonext，andbewilderedbythecrowdofpeoplewhowerealreadyastir，theysatdowninoneoftherecessesonthebridge，torest。Theysoonbecameawarethatthestreamoflifewasallpouringoneway，andthatavastthrongofpersonswerecrossingtheriverfromtheMiddlesextotheSurreyshore，inunusualhasteandevidentexcitement。Theywere，forthemostpart，inknotsoftwoorthree，orsometimeshalf-a-dozen;theyspokelittletogether——manyofthemwerequitesilent;andhurriedonasiftheyhadoneabsorbingobjectinview，whichwascommontothemall。

Theyweresurprisedtoseethatnearlyeverymaninthisgreatconcourse，whichstillcamepouringpast，withoutslackeningintheleast，woreinhishatabluecockade;andthatthechancepassengerswhowerenotsodecorated，appearedtimidlyanxioustoescapeobservationorattack，andgavethemthewallasiftheywouldconciliatethem。This，however，wasnaturalenough，consideringtheirinferiorityinpointofnumbers;fortheproportionofthosewhoworebluecockades，tothosewhoweredressedasusual，wasatleastfortyorfiftytoone。Therewasnoquarrelling，however:thebluecockadeswentswarmingon，passingeachotherwhentheycould，andmakingallthespeedthatwaspossibleinsuchamultitude;andexchangednothingmorethanlooks，andveryoftennoteventhose，withsuchofthepassers-byaswerenotoftheirnumber。

Atfirst，thecurrentofpeoplehadbeenconfinedtothetwopathways，andbutafewmoreeagerstragglerskepttheroad。Butafterhalfanhourorso，thepassagewascompletelyblockedupbythegreatpress，which，beingnowcloselywedgedtogether，andimpededbythecartsandcoachesitencountered，movedbutslowly，andwassometimesatastandforfiveortenminutestogether。

Afterthelapseofnearlytwohours，thenumbersbegantodiminishvisibly，andgraduallydwindlingaway，bylittleandlittle，leftthebridgequiteclear，savethat，nowandthen，somehotanddustyman，withthecockadeinhishat，andhiscoatthrownoverhisshoulder，wentpantingby，fearfulofbeingtoolate，orstoppedtoaskwhichwayhisfriendshadtaken，andbeingdirected，hastenedonagainlikeonerefreshed。Inthiscomparativesolitude，whichseemedquitestrangeandnovelafterthelatecrowd，thewidowhadforthefirsttimeanopportunityofinquiringofanoldmanwhocameandsatbesidethem，whatwasthemeaningofthatgreatassemblage。

’Why，wherehaveyoucomefrom，’hereturned，’thatyouhaven’theardofLordGeorgeGordon’sgreatassociation？ThisisthedaythathepresentsthepetitionagainsttheCatholics，Godblesshim！’

’Whathaveallthesementodowiththat？’shesaid。

’Whathavetheytodowithit！’theoldmanreplied。’Why，howyoutalk！Don’tyouknowhislordshiphasdeclaredhewon’tpresentittothehouseatall，unlessitisattendedtothedoorbyfortythousandgoodandtruemenatleast？There’sacrowdforyou！’

’Acrowdindeed！’saidBarnaby。’Doyouhearthat，mother！’

’Andthey’remusteringyonder，asIamtold，’resumedtheoldman，’nighuponahundredthousandstrong。Ah！LetLordGeorgealone。

Heknowshispower。There’llbeagoodmanyfacesinsidethemthreewindowsoverthere，’andhepointedtowheretheHouseofCommonsoverlookedtheriver，’that’llturnpalewhengoodLordGeorgegetsupthisafternoon，andwithreasontoo！Ay，ay。Lethislordshipalone。Lethimalone。HEknows！’Andso，withmuchmumblingandchucklingandshakingofhisforefinger，herose，withtheassistanceofhisstick，andtotteredoff。

’Mother！’saidBarnaby，’that’sabravecrowdhetalksof。Come！’

’Nottojoinit！’criedhismother。

’Yes，yes，’heanswered，pluckingathersleeve。’Whynot？Come！’

’Youdon’tknow，’sheurged，’whatmischieftheymaydo，wheretheymayleadyou，whattheirmeaningis。DearBarnaby，formysake——’

’Foryoursake！’hecried，pattingherhand。’Well！ItISforyoursake，mother。Yourememberwhattheblindmansaid，aboutthegold。Here’sabravecrowd！Come！OrwaittillIcomeback——yes，yes，waithere。’

Shetriedwithalltheearnestnessherfearsengendered，toturnhimfromhispurpose，butinvain。Hewasstoopingdowntobuckleonhisshoe，whenahackney-coachpassedthemratherquickly，andavoiceinsidecalledtothedrivertostop。

’Youngman，’saidavoicewithin。

’Who’sthat？’criedBarnaby，lookingup。

’Doyouwearthisornament？’returnedthestranger，holdingoutabluecockade。

’InHeaven’sname，no。Praydonotgiveithim！’exclaimedthewidow。

’Speakforyourself，woman，’saidthemanwithinthecoach，coldly。

’Leavetheyoungmantohischoice;he’soldenoughtomakeit，andtosnapyourapron-strings。Heknows，withoutyourtelling，whetherhewearsthesignofaloyalEnglishmanornot。’

Barnaby，tremblingwithimpatience，cried，’Yes！yes，yes，Ido，’

ashehadcriedadozentimesalready。Themanthrewhimacockade，andcrying，’MakehastetoStGeorge’sFields，’orderedthecoachmantodriveonfast;andleftthem。

Withhandsthattrembledwithhiseagernesstofixthebaubleinhishat，Barnabywasadjustingitashebestcould，andhurriedlyreplyingtothetearsandentreatiesofhismother，whentwogentlemenpassedontheoppositesideoftheway。Observingthem，andseeinghowBarnabywasoccupied，theystopped，whisperedtogetherforaninstant，turnedback，andcameovertothem。

’Whyareyousittinghere？’saidoneofthem，whowasdressedinaplainsuitofblack，worelonglankhair，andcarriedagreatcane。

’Whyhaveyounotgonewiththerest？’

’Iamgoing，sir，’repliedBarnaby，finishinghistask，andputtinghishatonwithanairofpride。’Ishallbetheredirectly。’

’Say“mylord。”youngman，whenhislordshipdoesyouthehonourofspeakingtoyou，’saidthesecondgentlemanmildly。’Ifyoudon’tknowLordGeorgeGordonwhenyouseehim，it’shightimeyoushould。’

’Nay，Gashford，’saidLordGeorge，asBarnabypulledoffhishatagainandmadehimalowbow，’it’snogreatmatteronadaylikethis，whicheveryEnglishmanwillrememberwithdelightandpride。

Putonyourhat，friend，andfollowus，foryoulagbehindandarelate。It’spasttennow。Didn’tyouknowthatthehourforassemblingwasteno’clock？’

Barnabyshookhisheadandlookedvacantlyfromonetotheother。

’Youmighthaveknownit，friend，’saidGashford，’itwasperfectlyunderstood。Howcameyoutobesoillinformed？’

’Hecannottellyou，sir，’thewidowinterposed。’It’sofnousetoaskhim。Wearebutthismorningcomefromalongdistanceinthecountry，andknownothingofthesematters。’

’Thecausehastakenadeeproot，andhasspreaditsbranchesfarandwide，’saidLordGeorgetohissecretary。’Thisisapleasanthearing。IthankHeavenforit！’

’Amen！’criedGashfordwithasolemnface。

’Youdonotunderstandme，mylord，’saidthewidow。’Pardonme，butyoucruellymistakemymeaning。Weknownothingofthesematters。Wehavenodesireorrighttojoininwhatyouareabouttodo。Thisismyson，mypoorafflictedson，dearertomethanmyownlife。Inmercy’sname，mylord，goyourwayalone，anddonottempthimintodanger！’

’Mygoodwoman，’saidGashford，’howcanyou！——Dearme！——Whatdoyoumeanbytempting，andbydanger？Doyouthinkhislordshipisaroaringlion，goingaboutandseekingwhomhemaydevour？Godblessme！’

’No，no，mylord，forgiveme，’imploredthewidow，layingbothherhandsuponhisbreast，andscarcelyknowingwhatshedid，orsaid，intheearnestnessofhersupplication，’buttherearereasonswhyyoushouldhearmyearnest，mother’sprayer，andleavemysonwithme。Ohdo！Heisnotinhisrightsenses，heisnot，indeed！’

’Itisabadsignofthewickednessofthesetimes，’saidLordGeorge，evadinghertouch，andcolouringdeeply，’thatthosewhoclingtothetruthandsupporttherightcause，aresetdownasmad。Haveyouthehearttosaythisofyourownson，unnaturalmother！’

’Iamastonishedatyou！’saidGashford，withakindofmeekseverity。’Thisisaverysadpictureoffemaledepravity。’

’Hehassurelynoappearance，’saidLordGeorge，glancingatBarnaby，andwhisperinginhissecretary’sear，’ofbeingderanged？

Andevenifhehad，wemustnotconstrueanytriflingpeculiarityintomadness。Whichofus’——andhereheturnedredagain——’wouldbesafe，ifthatweremadethelaw！’

’Notone，’repliedthesecretary;’inthatcase，thegreaterthezeal，thetruth，andtalent;themoredirectthecallfromabove;

theclearerwouldbethemadness。Withregardtothisyoungman，mylord，’headded，withalipthatslightlycurledashelookedatBarnaby，whostoodtwirlinghishat，andstealthilybeckoningthemtocomeaway，’heisassensibleandself-possessedasanyoneI

eversaw。’

’Andyoudesiretomakeoneofthisgreatbody？’saidLordGeorge，addressinghim;’andintendedtomakeone，didyou？’

’Yes——yes，’saidBarnaby，withsparklingeyes。’TobesureIdid！

Itoldhersomyself。’

’Isee，’repliedLordGeorge，withareproachfulglanceattheunhappymother。’Ithoughtso。Followmeandthisgentleman，andyoushallhaveyourwish。’

Barnabykissedhismothertenderlyonthecheek，andbiddingherbeofgoodcheer，fortheirfortuneswerebothmadenow，didashewasdesired。She，poorwoman，followedtoo——withhowmuchfearandgriefitwouldbehardtotell。

TheypassedquicklythroughtheBridgeRoad，wheretheshopswereallshutup(forthepassageofthegreatcrowdandtheexpectationoftheirreturnhadalarmedthetradesmenfortheirgoodsandwindows)，andwhere，intheupperstories，alltheinhabitantswerecongregated，lookingdownintothestreetbelow，withfacesvariouslyexpressiveofalarm，ofinterest，expectancy，andindignation。Someoftheseapplauded，andsomehissed;butregardlessoftheseinterruptions——forthenoiseofavastcongregationofpeopleatalittledistance，soundedinhisearsliketheroaringofthesea——LordGeorgeGordonquickenedhispace，andpresentlyarrivedbeforeStGeorge’sFields。

Theywerereallyfieldsatthattime，andofconsiderableextent。

Hereanimmensemultitudewascollected，bearingflagsofvariouskindsandsizes，butallofthesamecolour——blue，likethecockades——somesectionsmarchingtoandfroinmilitaryarray，andothersdrawnupincircles，squares，andlines。Alargeportion，bothofthebodieswhichparadedtheground，andofthosewhichremainedstationary，wereoccupiedinsinginghymnsorpsalms。

Withwhomsoeverthisoriginated，itwaswelldone;forthesoundofsomanythousandvoicesintheairmusthavestirredtheheartofanymanwithinhim，andcouldnotfailtohaveawonderfuleffectuponenthusiasts，howevermistaken。

Scoutshadbeenpostedinadvanceofthegreatbody，togivenoticeoftheirleader’scoming。Thesefallingback，thewordwasquicklypassedthroughthewholehost，andforashortintervalthereensuedaprofoundanddeathlikesilence，duringwhichthemasswassostillandquiet，thattheflutteringofabannercaughttheeye，andbecameacircumstanceofnote。Thentheyburstintoatremendousshout，intoanother，andanother;andtheairseemedrentandshaken，asifbythedischargeofcannon。

’Gashford！’criedLordGeorge，pressinghissecretary’sarmtightwithinhisown，andspeakingwithasmuchemotioninhisvoice，asinhisalteredface，’Iarncalledindeed，now。Ifeelandknowit。Iamtheleaderofahost。Iftheysummonedmeatthismomentwithonevoicetoleadthemontodeath，I’ddoit——Yes，andfallfirstmyself！’

’Itisaproudsight，’saidthesecretary。’ItisanobledayforEngland，andforthegreatcausethroughouttheworld。Suchhomage，mylord，asI，anhumblebutdevotedman，canrender——’

’Whatareyoudoing？’criedhismaster，catchinghimbybothhands;

forhehadmadeashowofkneelingathisfeet。’Donotunfitme，dearGashford，forthesolemndutyofthisgloriousday——’thetearsstoodintheeyesofthepoorgentlemanashesaidthewords——’Letusgoamongthem;wehavetofindaplaceinsomedivisionforthisnewrecruit——givemeyourhand。’

Gashfordslidhiscoldinsidiouspalmintohismaster’sgrasp，andso，handinhand，andfollowedstillbyBarnabyandbyhismothertoo，theymingledwiththeconcourse。

Theyhadbythistimetakentotheirsingingagain，andastheirleaderpassedbetweentheirranks，theyraisedtheirvoicestotheirutmost。Manyofthosewhowerebandedtogethertosupportthereligionoftheircountry，evenuntodeath，hadneverheardahymnorpsalminalltheirlives。Butthesefellowshavingforthemostpartstronglungs，andbeingnaturallyfondofsinging，chantedanyribaldryornonsensethatoccurredtothem，feelingprettycertainthatitwouldnotbedetectedinthegeneralchorus，andnotcaringmuchifitwere。ManyofthesevoluntariesweresungundertheverynoseofLordGeorgeGordon，who，quiteunconsciousoftheirburden，passedonwithhisusualstiffandsolemndeportment，verymuchedifiedanddelightedbythepiousconductofhisfollowers。

Sotheywentonandon，upthisline，downthat，roundtheexteriorofthiscircle，andoneverysideofthathollowsquare;andstilltherewerelines，andsquares，andcirclesoutofnumbertoreview。

Thedaybeingnowintenselyhot，andthesunstrikingdownhisfiercestraysuponthefield，thosewhocarriedheavybannersbegantogrowfaintandweary;mostofthenumberassembledwerefaintopullofftheirneckcloths，andthrowtheircoatsandwaistcoatsopen;andsome，towardsthecentre，quiteoverpoweredbytheexcessiveheat，whichwasofcourserenderedmoreunendurablebythemultitudearoundthem，laydownuponthegrass，andofferedalltheyhadaboutthemforadrinkofwater。Still，nomanlefttheground，notevenofthosewhoweresodistressed;stillLordGeorge，streamingfromeverypore，wentonwithGashford;andstillBarnabyandhismotherfollowedclosebehindthem。

Theyhadarrivedatthetopofalonglineofsomeeighthundredmeninsinglefile，andLordGeorgehadturnedhisheadtolookback，whenaloudcryofrecognition——inthatpeculiarandhalf-

stifledtonewhichavoicehas，whenitisraisedintheopenairandinthemidstofagreatconcourseofpersons——washeard，andamansteppedwithashoutoflaughterfromtherank，andsmoteBarnabyontheshoulderswithhisheavyhand。

’Hownow！’hecried。’BarnabyRudge！Why，wherehaveyoubeenhidingforthesehundredyears？’

Barnabyhadbeenthinkingwithinhimselfthatthesmellofthetroddengrassbroughtbackhisolddaysatcricket，whenhewasayoungboyandplayedonChigwellGreen。Confusedbythissuddenandboisterousaddress，hestaredinabewilderedmannerattheman，andcouldscarcelysay’What！Hugh！’

’Hugh！’echoedtheother;’ay，Hugh——MaypoleHugh！Youremembermydog？He’salivenow，andwillknowyou，Iwarrant。What，youwearthecolour，doyou？Welldone！Hahaha！’

’Youknowthisyoungman，Isee，’saidLordGeorge。

’Knowhim，mylord！aswellasIknowmyownrighthand。Mycaptainknowshim。Weallknowhim。’

’Willyoutakehimintoyourdivision？’

’Ithasn’tinitabetter，noranimbler，noramoreactiveman，thanBarnabyRudge，’saidHugh。’Showmethemanwhosaysithas！

Fallin，Barnaby。Heshallmarch，mylord，betweenmeandDennis;

andheshallcarry，’headded，takingaflagfromthehandofatiredmanwhotenderedit，’thegayestsilkenstreamerinthisvaliantarmy。’

’InthenameofGod，no！’shriekedthewidow，dartingforward。

’Barnaby——mylord——see——he’llcomeback——Barnaby——Barnaby！’

’Womeninthefield！’criedHugh，steppingbetweenthem，andholdingheroff。’Holloa！Mycaptainthere！’

’What’sthematterhere？’criedSimonTappertit，bustlingupinagreatheat。’Doyoucallthisorder？’

’Nothinglikeit，captain，’answeredHugh，stillholdingherbackwithhisoutstretchedhand。’It’sagainstallorders。Ladiesarecarryingoffourgallantsoldiersfromtheirduty。Thewordofcommand，captain！They’refilingofftheground。Quick！’

’Close！’criedSimon，withthewholepowerofhislungs。’Form！

March！’

Shewasthrowntotheground;thewholefieldwasinmotion;

Barnabywaswhirledawayintotheheartofadensemassofmen，andshesawhimnomore。

Chapter49

Themobhadbeendividedfromitsfirstassemblageintofourdivisions;theLondon，theWestminster，theSouthwark，andtheScotch。Eachofthesedivisionsbeingsubdividedintovariousbodies，andthesebodiesbeingdrawnupinvariousformsandfigures，thegeneralarrangementwas，excepttothefewchiefsandleaders，asunintelligibleastheplanofagreatbattletothemeanestsoldierinthefield。Itwasnotwithoutitsmethod，however;for，inaveryshortspaceoftimeafterbeingputinmotion，thecrowdhadresolveditselfintothreegreatparties，andwereprepared，ashadbeenarranged，tocrosstheriverbydifferentbridges，andmakefortheHouseofCommonsinseparatedetachments。

AttheheadofthatdivisionwhichhadWestminsterBridgeforitsapproachtothesceneofaction，LordGeorgeGordontookhispost;

withGashfordathisrighthand，andsundryruffians，ofmostunpromisingappearance，formingakindofstaffabouthim。Theconductofasecondparty，whoseroutelaybyBlackfriars，wasentrustedtoacommitteeofmanagement，includingperhapsadozenmen:whilethethird，whichwastogobyLondonBridge，andthroughthemainstreets，inorderthattheirnumbersandtheirseriousintentionsmightbethebetterknownandappreciatedbythecitizens，wereledbySimonTappertit(assistedbyafewsubalterns，selectedfromtheBrotherhoodofUnitedBulldogs)，Dennisthehangman，Hugh，andsomeothers。

Thewordofcommandbeinggiven，eachofthesegreatbodiestooktheroadassignedtoit，anddepartedonitsway，inperfectorderandprofoundsilence。ThatwhichwentthroughtheCitygreatlyexceededtheothersinnumber，andwasofsuchprodigiousextentthatwhentherearbegantomove，thefrontwasnearlyfourmilesinadvance，notwithstandingthatthemenmarchedthreeabreastandfollowedverycloseuponeachother。

Attheheadofthisparty，intheplacewhereHugh，inthemadnessofhishumour，hadstationedhim，andwalkingbetweenthatdangerouscompanionandthehangman，wentBarnaby;asmanyamanamongthethousandswholookedonthatdayafterwardsrememberedwell。Forgetfulofallotherthingsintheecstasyofthemoment，hisfaceflushedandhiseyessparklingwithdelight，heedlessoftheweightofthegreatbannerhecarried，andmindfulonlyofitsflashinginthesunandrustlinginthesummerbreeze，onhewent，proud，happy，elatedpastalltelling:——theonlylight-hearted，undesigningcreature，inthewholeassembly。

’Whatdoyouthinkofthis？’askedHugh，astheypassedthroughthecrowdedstreets，andlookedupatthewindowswhichwerethrongedwithspectators。’Theyhaveallturnedouttoseeourflagsandstreamers？Eh，Barnaby？Why，Barnaby’sthegreatestmanofallthepack！Hisflag’sthelargestofthelot，thebrightesttoo。

There’snothingintheshow，likeBarnaby。Alleyesareturnedonhim。Hahaha！’

’Don’tmakethatdin，brother，’growledthehangman，glancingwithnoveryapprovingeyesatBarnabyashespoke:’Ihopehedon’tthinkthere’snothingtobedone，butcarryingthattherepieceofbluerag，likeaboyatabreakingup。You’rereadyforactionI

hope，eh？You，Imean，’headded，nudgingBarnabyroughlywithhiselbow。’Whatareyoustaringat？Whydon’tyouspeak？’

Barnabyhadbeengazingathisflag，andlookedvacantlyfromhisquestionertoHugh。

’Hedon’tunderstandyourway，’saidthelatter。’Here，I’llexplainittohim。Barnabyoldboy，attendtome。’

’I’llattend，’saidBarnaby，lookinganxiouslyround;’butIwishIcouldseehersomewhere。’

’Seewho？’demandedDennisinagrufftone。’Youan’tinloveI

hope，brother？Thatan’tthesortofthingforus，youknow。Wemustn’thavenolovehere。’

’Shewouldbeproudindeedtoseemenow，ehHugh？’saidBarnaby。

’Wouldn’titmakehergladtoseemeattheheadofthislargeshow？She’dcryforjoy，Iknowshewould。WhereCANshebe？Sheneverseesmeatmybest，andwhatdoIcaretobegayandfineifSHE’Snotby？’

’Why，whatpalaver’sthis？’askedMrDenniswithsupremedisdain。

’Wean’tgotnosentimentalmembersamongus，Ihope。’

’Don’tbeuneasy，brother，’criedHugh，’he’sonlytalkingofhismother。’

’Ofhiswhat？’saidMrDenniswithastrongoath。

’Hismother。’

’AndhaveIcombinedmyselfwiththisheresection，andturnedoutonthisherememorableday，tohearmentalkabouttheirmothers！’

growledMrDenniswithextremedisgust。’Thenotionofaman’ssweetheart’sbadenough，butaman’smother！’——andherehisdisgustwassoextremethathespatupontheground，andcouldsaynomore。

’Barnaby’sright，’criedHughwithagrin，’andIsayit。Lookee，boldlad。Ifshe’snotheretosee，it’sbecauseI’veprovidedforher，andsenthalf-a-dozengentlemen，everyoneof’emwithablueflag(butnothalfasfineasyours)，totakeher，instate，toagrandhouseallhungroundwithgoldandsilverbanners，andeverythingelseyouplease，whereshe’llwaittillyoucome，andwantfornothing。’

’Ay！’saidBarnaby，hisfacebeamingwithdelight:’haveyouindeed？That’sagoodhearing。That’sfine！KindHugh！’

’Butnothingtowhatwillcome，blessyou，’retortedHugh，withawinkatDennis，whoregardedhisnewcompanioninarmswithgreatastonishment。

’No，indeed？’criedBarnaby。

’Nothingatall，’saidHugh。’Money，cockedhatsandfeathers，redcoatsandgoldlace;allthefinethingsthereare，everwere，orwillbe;willbelongtousifwearetruetothatnoblegentleman——

thebestmanintheworld——carryourflagsforafewdays，andkeep’emsafe。That’sallwe’vegottodo。’

’Isthatall？’criedBarnabywithglisteningeyes，asheclutchedhispolethetighter;’IwarrantyouIkeepthisonesafe，then。

Youhaveputitingoodhands。Youknowme，Hugh。Nobodyshallwrestthisflagaway。’

’Wellsaid！’criedHugh。’Haha！Noblysaid！That’stheoldstoutBarnaby，thatIhaveclimbedandleapedwith，manyandmanyaday——IknewIwasnotmistakeninBarnaby——Don’tyousee，man，’headdedinawhisper，asheslippedtotheothersideofDennis，’thatthelad’sanatural，andcanbegottodoanything，ifyoutakehimtherightway？Lettingalonethefunheis，he’sworthadozenmen，inearnest，asyou’dfindifyoutriedafallwithhim。

Leavehimtome。Youshallsoonseewhetherhe’sofuseornot。’

MrDennisreceivedtheseexplanatoryremarkswithmanynodsandwinks，andsoftenedhisbehaviourtowardsBarnabyfromthatmoment。

Hugh，layinghisfingeronhisnose，steppedbackintohisformerplace，andtheyproceededinsilence。

Itwasbetweentwoandthreeo’clockintheafternoonwhenthethreegreatpartiesmetatWestminster，and，unitingintoonehugemass，raisedatremendousshout。Thiswasnotonlydoneintokenoftheirpresence，butasasignaltothoseonwhomthetaskdevolved，thatitwastimetotakepossessionofthelobbiesofbothHouses，andofthevariousavenuesofapproach，andofthegallerystairs。Tothelast-namedplace，HughandDennis，stillwiththeirpupilbetweenthem，rushedstraightway;Barnabyhavinggivenhisflagintothehandsofoneoftheirownparty，whokeptthemattheouterdoor。Theirfollowerspressingonbehind，theywereborneasonagreatwavetotheverydoorsofthegallery，whenceitwasimpossibletoretreat，eveniftheyhadbeensoinclined，byreasonofthethrongwhichchokedupthepassages。Itisafamiliarexpressionindescribingagreatcrowd，thatapersonmighthavewalkeduponthepeople’sheads。Inthiscaseitwasactuallydone;foraboywhohadbysomemeansgotamongtheconcourse，andwasinimminentdangerofsuffocation，climbedtotheshouldersofamanbesidehimandwalkeduponthepeople’shatsandheadsintotheopenstreet;traversinginhispassagethewholelengthoftwostaircasesandalonggallery。Norwastheswarmwithoutlessdense;forabasketwhichhadbeentossedintothecrowd，wasjerkedfromheadtohead，andshouldertoshoulder，andwentspinningandwhirlingonabovethem，untilitwaslosttoview，withouteveroncefallinginamongthemorcomingneartheground。

Throughthisvastthrong，sprinkleddoubtlesshereandtherewithhonestzealots，butcomposedforthemostpartoftheveryscumandrefuseofLondon，whosegrowthwasfosteredbybadcriminallaws，badprisonregulations，andtheworstconceivablepolice，suchofthemembersofbothHousesofParliamentashadnottakentheprecautiontobealreadyattheirposts，werecompelledtofightandforcetheirway。Theircarriageswerestoppedandbroken;thewheelswrenchedoff;theglassesshiveredtoatoms;thepanelsbeatenin;drivers，footmen，andmasters，pulledfromtheirseatsandrolledinthemud。Lords，commoners，andreverendbishops，withlittledistinctionofpersonorparty，werekickedandpinchedandhustled;passedfromhandtohandthroughvariousstagesofill-usage;andsenttotheirfellow-senatorsatlastwiththeirclotheshanginginribandsaboutthem，theirbagwigstornoff，themselvesspeechlessandbreathless，andtheirpersonscoveredwiththepowderwhichhadbeencuffedandbeatenoutoftheirhair。

Onelordwassolonginthehandsofthepopulace，thatthePeersasabodyresolvedtosallyforthandrescuehim，andwereintheactofdoingso，whenhehappilyappearedamongthemcoveredwithdirtandbruises，andhardlytoberecognisedbythosewhoknewhimbest。Thenoiseanduproarwereontheincreaseeverymoment。Theairwasfilledwithexecrations，hoots，andhowlings。Themobragedandroared，likeamadmonsterasitwas，unceasingly，andeachnewoutrageservedtoswellitsfury。

Withindoors，matterswereevenyetmorethreatening。LordGeorge——

precededbyamanwhocarriedtheimmensepetitiononaporter’sknotthroughthelobbytothedooroftheHouseofCommons，whereitwasreceivedbytwoofficersofthehousewhorolledituptothetablereadyforpresentation——hadtakenhisseatatanearlyhour，beforetheSpeakerwenttoprayers。Hisfollowerspouringinatthesametime，thelobbyandalltheavenueswereimmediatelyfilled，aswehaveseen。Thusthememberswerenotonlyattackedintheirpassagethroughthestreets，butweresetuponwithintheverywallsofParliament;whilethetumult，bothwithinandwithout，wassogreat，thatthosewhoattemptedtospeakcouldscarcelyheartheirownvoices:farless，consultuponthecourseitwouldbewisetotakeinsuchextremity，oranimateeachothertodignifiedandfirmresistance。Sosureasanymember，justarrived，withdressdisorderedanddishevelledhair，camestrugglingthroughthecrowdinthelobby，ityelledandscreamedintriumph;andwhenthedooroftheHouse，partiallyandcautiouslyopenedbythosewithinforhisadmission，gavethemamomentaryglimpseoftheinterior，theygrewmorewildandsavage，likebeastsatthesightofprey，andmadearushagainsttheportalwhichstraineditslocksandboltsintheirstaples，andshooktheverybeams。

Thestrangers’gallery，whichwasimmediatelyabovethedooroftheHouse，hadbeenorderedtobeclosedonthefirstrumourofdisturbance，andwasempty;savethatnowandthenLordGeorgetookhisseatthere，fortheconvenienceofcomingtotheheadofthestairswhichledtoit，andrepeatingtothepeoplewhathadpassedwithin。ItwasonthesestairsthatBarnaby，Hugh，andDenniswereposted。Thereweretwoflights，short，steep，andnarrow，runningparalleltoeachother，andleadingtotwolittledoorscommunicatingwithalowpassagewhichopenedonthegallery。

Betweenthemwasakindofwell，orunglazedskylight，fortheadmissionoflightandairintothelobby，whichmightbesomeeighteenortwentyfeetbelow。

Upononeoftheselittlestaircases——notthatattheheadofwhichLordGeorgeappearedfromtimetotime，buttheother——Gashfordstoodwithhiselbowonthebannister，andhischeekrestingonhishand，withhisusualcraftyaspect。Wheneverhevariedthisattitudeintheslightestdegree——somuchasbythegentlestmotionofhisarm——theuproarwascertaintoincrease，notmerelythere，butinthelobbybelow;fromwhichplacenodoubt，somemanwhoactedasfuglemantotherest，wasconstantlylookingupandwatchinghim。

’Order！’criedHugh，inavoicewhichmadeitselfheardevenabovetheroarandtumult，asLordGeorgeappearedatthetopofthestaircase。’News！Newsfrommylord！’

Thenoisecontinued，notwithstandinghisappearance，untilGashfordlookedround。Therewassilenceimmediately——evenamongthepeopleinthepassageswithout，andontheotherstaircases，whocouldneitherseenorhear，buttowhom，notwithstanding，thesignalwasconveyedwithmarvellousrapidity。

’Gentlemen，’saidLordGeorge，whowasverypaleandagitated，wemustbefirm。Theytalkofdelays，butwemusthavenodelays。

TheytalkoftakingyourpetitionintoconsiderationnextTuesday，butwemusthaveitconsiderednow。Presentappearanceslookbadforoursuccess，butwemustsucceedandwill！’

’Wemustsucceedandwill！’echoedthecrowd。Andsoamongtheirshoutsandcheersandothercries，hebowedtothemandretired，andpresentlycamebackagain。TherewasanothergesturefromGashford，andadeadsilencedirectly。

’Iamafraid，’hesaid，thistime，’thatwehavelittlereason，gentlemen，tohopeforanyredressfromtheproceedingsofParliament。Butwemustredressourowngrievances，wemustmeetagain，wemustputourtrustinProvidence，anditwillblessourendeavours。’

Thisspeechbeingalittlemoretemperatethanthelast，wasnotsofavourablyreceived。Whenthenoiseandexasperationwereattheirheight，hecamebackoncemore，andtoldthemthatthealarmhadgoneforthformanymilesround;thatwhentheKingheardoftheirassemblingtogetherinthatgreatbody，hehadnodoubt，HisMajestywouldsenddownprivateorderstohavetheirwishescompliedwith;and——withthemannerofhisspeechaschildish，irresolute，anduncertainashismatter——wasproceedinginthisstrain，whentwogentlemensuddenlyappearedatthedoorwherehestood，andpressingpasthimandcomingasteportwolowerdownuponthestairs，confrontedthepeople。

Theboldnessofthisactionquitetookthembysurprise。Theywerenotthelessdisconcerted，whenoneofthegentlemen，turningtoLordGeorge，spokethus——inaloudvoicethattheymighthearhimwell，butquitecoollyandcollectedly:

’Youmaytellthesepeople，ifyouplease，mylord，thatIamGeneralConwayofwhomtheyhaveheard;andthatIopposethispetition，andalltheirproceedings，andyours。Iamasoldier，youmaytellthem，andIwillprotectthefreedomofthisplacewithmysword。Yousee，mylord，thatthemembersofthisHouseareallinarmsto-day;youknowthattheentrancetoitisanarrowone;youcannotbeignorantthattherearemenwithinthesewallswhoaredeterminedtodefendthatpasstothelast，andbeforewhommanylivesmustfallifyouradherentspersevere。Haveacarewhatyoudo。’

’AndmyLordGeorge，’saidtheothergentleman，addressinghiminlikemanner，’Idesirethemtohearthis，fromme——ColonelGordon——

yournearrelation。Ifamanamongthiscrowd，whoseuproarstrikesusdeaf，crossesthethresholdoftheHouseofCommons，I

sweartorunmyswordthatmoment——notintohis，butintoyourbody！’

Withthat，theysteppedbackagain，keepingtheirfacestowardsthecrowd;tookeachanarmofthemisguidednobleman;drewhimintothepassage，andshutthedoor;whichtheydirectlylockedandfastenedontheinside。