第15章

Thiswassoquicklydone，andthedemeanourofbothgentlemen——whowerenotyoungmeneither——wassogallantandresolute，thatthecrowdfalteredandstaredateachotherwithirresoluteandtimidlooks。Manytriedtoturntowardsthedoor;someofthefaintest-

heartedcriedtheyhadbestgoback，andcalledtothosebehindtogiveway;andthepanicandconfusionwereincreasingrapidly，whenGashfordwhisperedHugh。

’Whatnow！’Hughroaredaloud，turningtowardsthem。’Whygoback？

Wherecanyoudobetterthanhere，boys！Onegoodrushagainstthesedoorsandonebelowatthesametime，willdothebusiness。

Rushon，then！Astothedoorbelow，letthosestandbackwhoareafraid。Letthosewhoarenotafraid，trywhoshallbethefirsttopassit。Heregoes！Lookoutdownthere！’

Withoutthedelayofaninstant，hethrewhimselfheadlongoverthebannistersintothelobbybelow。HehadhardlytouchedthegroundwhenBarnabywasathisside。Thechaplain’sassistant，andsomememberswhowereimploringthepeopletoretire，immediatelywithdrew;andthen，withagreatshout，bothcrowdsthrewthemselvesagainstthedoorspell-mell，andbesiegedtheHouseinearnest。

Atthatmoment，whenasecondonsetmusthavebroughtthemintocollisionwiththosewhostoodonthedefensivewithin，inwhichcasegreatlossoflifeandbloodshedwouldinevitablyhaveensued，——thehindmostportionofthecrowdgaveway，andtherumourspreadfrommouthtomouththatamessengerhadbeendespatchedbywaterforthemilitary，whowereforminginthestreet。Fearfulofsustainingachargeinthenarrowpassagesinwhichtheyweresocloselywedgedtogether，thethrongpouredoutasimpetuouslyastheyhadflockedin。Asthewholestreamturnedatonce，BarnabyandHughwentwithit:andso，fightingandstrugglingandtramplingonfallenmenandbeingtrampledoninturnthemselves，theyandthewholemassfloatedbydegreesintotheopenstreet，wherealargedetachmentoftheGuards，bothhorseandfoot，camehurryingup;clearingthegroundbeforethemsorapidlythatthepeopleseemedtomeltawayastheyadvanced。

Thewordofcommandtohaltbeinggiven，thesoldiersformedacrossthestreet;therioters，breathlessandexhaustedwiththeirlateexertions，formedlikewise，thoughinaveryirregularanddisorderlymanner。Thecommandingofficerrodehastilyintotheopenspacebetweenthetwobodies，accompaniedbyamagistrateandanofficeroftheHouseofCommons，forwhoseaccommodationacoupleoftroopershadhastilydismounted。TheRiotActwasread，butnotamanstirred。

Inthefirstrankoftheinsurgents，BarnabyandHughstoodsidebyside。SomebodyhadthrustintoBarnaby’shandswhenhecameoutintothestreet，hispreciousflag;which，beingnowrolledupandtiedroundthepole，lookedlikeagiantquarter-staffashegraspeditfirmlyandstooduponhisguard。Ifevermanbelievedwithhiswholeheartandsoulthathewasengagedinajustcause，andthathewasboundtostandbyhisleadertothelast，poorBarnabybelieveditofhimselfandLordGeorgeGordon。

Afteranineffectualattempttomakehimselfheard，themagistrategavethewordandtheHorseGuardscameridinginamongthecrowd。

But，eventhen，hegallopedhereandthere，exhortingthepeopletodisperse;and，althoughheavystoneswerethrownatthemen，andsomeweredesperatelycutandbruised，theyhadnoordersbuttomakeprisonersofsuchoftheriotersaswerethemostactive，andtodrivethepeoplebackwiththeflatoftheirsabres。Asthehorsescameinamongthem，thethronggavewayatmanypoints，andtheGuards，followinguptheiradvantage，wererapidlyclearingtheground，whentwoorthreeoftheforemost，whowereinamannercutofffromtherestbythepeopleclosingroundthem，madestraighttowardsBarnabyandHugh，whohadnodoubtbeenpointedoutasthetwomenwhodroppedintothelobby:layingaboutthemnowwithsomeeffect，andinflictingonthemoreturbulentoftheiropponents，afewslightfleshwounds，undertheinfluenceofwhichamandropped，hereandthere，intothearmsofhisfellows，amidmuchgroaningandconfusion。

Atthesightofgashedandbloodyfaces，seenforamomentinthecrowd，thenhiddenbythepressaroundthem，Barnabyturnedpaleandsick。Buthestoodhisground，andgraspinghispolemorefirmlyyet，kepthiseyefixeduponthenearestsoldier——noddinghisheadmeanwhile，asHugh，withascowlingvisage，whisperedinhisear。

Thesoldiercamespurringon，makinghishorserearasthepeoplepressedabouthim，cuttingatthehandsofthosewhowouldhavegraspedhisreinandforcedhischargerback，andwavingtohiscomradestofollow——andstillBarnaby，withoutretreatinganinch，waitedforhiscoming。Somecalledtohimtofly，andsomewereintheveryactofclosingroundhim，topreventhisbeingtaken，whenthepolesweptintotheairabovethepeople’sheads，andtheman’ssaddlewasemptyinaninstant。

Then，heandHughturnedandfled，thecrowdopeningtoletthempass，andclosingupagainsoquicklythattherewasnocluetothecoursetheyhadtaken。Pantingforbreath，hot，dusty，andexhaustedwithfatigue，theyreachedtheriversideinsafety，andgettingintoaboatwithalldespatchweresoonoutofanyimmediatedanger。

Astheyglideddowntheriver，theyplainlyheardthepeoplecheering;andsupposingtheymighthaveforcedthesoldierstoretreat，layupontheiroarsforafewminutes，uncertainwhethertoreturnornot。ButthecrowdpassingalongWestminsterBridge，soonassuredthemthatthepopulaceweredispersing;andHughrightlyguessedfromthis，thattheyhadcheeredthemagistrateforofferingtodismissthemilitaryonconditionoftheirimmediatedeparturetotheirseveralhomes，andthatheandBarnabywerebetterwheretheywere。Headvised，therefore，thattheyshouldproceedtoBlackfriars，and，goingashoreatthebridge，makethebestoftheirwaytoTheBoot;wheretherewasnotonlygoodentertainmentandsafelodging，butwheretheywouldcertainlybejoinedbymanyoftheirlatecompanions。Barnabyassenting，theydecidedonthiscourseofaction，andpulledforBlackfriarsaccordingly。

Theylandedatacriticaltime，andfortunatelyforthemselvesattherightmoment。For，comingintoFleetStreet，theyfounditinanunusualstir;andinquiringthecause，weretoldthatabodyofHorseGuardshadjustgallopedpast，andthattheywereescortingsomerioterswhomtheyhadmadeprisoners，toNewgateforsafety。

Notatallill-pleasedtohavesonarrowlyescapedthecavalcade，theylostnomoretimeinaskingquestions，buthurriedtoTheBootwithasmuchspeedasHughconsidereditprudenttomake，withoutappearingsingularorattractinganinconvenientshareofpublicnotice。

Chapter50

Theywereamongthefirsttoreachthetavern，buttheyhadnotbeentheremanyminutes，whenseveralgroupsofmenwhohadformedpartofthecrowd，camestragglingin。AmongthemwereSimonTappertitandMrDennis;bothofwhom，butespeciallythelatter，greetedBarnabywiththeutmostwarmth，andpaidhimmanycomplimentsontheprowesshehadshown。

’Which，’saidDennis，withanoath，asherestedhisbludgeoninacornerwithhishatuponit，andtookhisseatatthesametablewiththem，’itdoesmegoodtothinkof。Therewasaopportunity！

Butitledtonothing。Formypart，Idon’tknowwhatwould。

There’snospiritamongthepeopleintheseheretimes。Bringsomethingtoeatanddrinkhere。I’mdisgustedwithhumanity。’

’Onwhataccount？’askedMrTappertit，whohadbeenquenchinghisfieryfaceinahalf-galloncan。’Don’tyouconsiderthisagoodbeginning，mister？’

’Givemesecuritythatitan’taending，’rejoinedthehangman。

’Whenthatsoldierwentdown，wemighthavemadeLondonours;butno;——westand，andgape，andlookon——thejustice(Iwishhehadhadabulletineacheye，ashewouldhavehad，ifwe’dgonetoworkmyway)says，“Mylads，ifyou’llgivemeyourwordtodisperse，I’llorderoffthemilitary。”ourpeoplesetsupahurrah，throwsupthegamewiththewinningcardsintheirhands，andskulksawaylikeapackoftamecursastheyare。Ah，’saidthehangman，inatoneofdeepdisgust，’itmakesmeblushformyfellercreeturs。IwishIhadbeenbornaox，Ido！’

’You’dhavebeenquiteasagreeableacharacterifyouhadbeen，I

think，’returnedSimonTappertit，goingoutinaloftymanner。

’Don’tbetoosureofthat，’rejoinedthehangman，callingafterhim;’ifIwasahornedanimalatthepresentmoment，withthesmallestgrainofsense，I’dtosseverymaninthiscompany，exceptingthemtwo，’meaningHughandBarnaby，’forhismannerofconductinghimselfthisday。’

Withwhichmournfulreviewoftheirproceedings，MrDennissoughtconsolationincoldboiledbeefandbeer;butwithoutatallrelaxingthegrimanddissatisfiedexpressionofhisface，thegloomofwhichwasratherdeepenedthandissipatedbytheirgratefulinfluence。

Thecompanywhowerethuslibelledmighthaveretaliatedbystrongwords，ifnotbyblows，buttheyweredispiritedandwornout。Thegreaterpartofthemhadfastedsincemorning;allhadsufferedextremelyfromtheexcessiveheat;andbetweentheday’sshouting，exertion，andexcitement，manyhadquitelosttheirvoices，andsomuchoftheirstrengththattheycouldhardlystand。Thentheywereuncertainwhattodonext，fearfuloftheconsequencesofwhattheyhaddonealready，andsensiblethatafteralltheyhadcarriednopoint，buthadindeedleftmattersworsethantheyhadfoundthem。OfthosewhohadcometoTheBoot，manydroppedoffwithinanhour;suchofthemaswerereallyhonestandsincere，never，afterthemorning’sexperience，toreturn，ortoholdanycommunicationwiththeirlatecompanions。Othersremainedbuttorefreshthemselves，andthenwenthomedesponding;otherswhohadtheretoforebeenregularintheirattendance，avoidedtheplacealtogether。Thehalf-dozenprisonerswhomtheGuardshadtaken，weremagnifiedbyreportintohalf-a-hundredatleast;andtheirfriends，beingfaintandsober，soslackenedintheirenergy，andsodroopedbeneaththesedispiritinginfluences，thatbyeighto’clockintheevening，Dennis，Hugh，andBarnaby，wereleftalone。

Eventheywerefastasleepuponthebenches，whenGashford’sentrancerousedthem。

’Oh！youAREherethen？’saidtheSecretary。’Dearme！’

’Why，whereshouldwebe，MusterGashford！’Dennisrejoinedasheroseintoasittingposture。

’Ohnowhere，nowhere，’hereturnedwithexcessivemildness。’Thestreetsarefilledwithbluecockades。Iratherthoughtyoumighthavebeenamongthem。Iamgladyouarenot。’

’Youhaveordersforus，master，then？’saidHugh。

’Ohdear，no。NotI。Noorders，mygoodfellow。WhatordersshouldIhave？Youarenotinmyservice。’

’MusterGashford，’remonstratedDennis，’webelongtothecause，don’twe？’

’Thecause！’repeatedthesecretary，lookingathiminasortofabstraction。’Thereisnocause。Thecauseislost。’

’Lost！’

’Ohyes。Youhaveheard，Isuppose？Thepetitionisrejectedbyahundredandninety-two，tosix。It’squitefinal。Wemighthavesparedourselvessometrouble。That，andmylord’svexation，aretheonlycircumstancesIregret。Iamquitesatisfiedinallotherrespects。’

Ashesaidthis，hetookapenknifefromhispocket，andputtinghishatuponhisknee，begantobusyhimselfinrippingoffthebluecockadewhichhehadwornallday;atthesametimehummingapsalmtunewhichhadbeenverypopularinthemorning，anddwellingonitwithagentleregret。

Histwoadherentslookedateachother，andathim，asiftheywereatalosshowtopursuethesubject。AtlengthHugh，aftersomeelbowingandwinkingbetweenhimselfandMrDennis，venturedtostayhishand，andtoaskhimwhyhemeddledwiththatribandinhishat。

’Because，’saidthesecretary，lookingupwithsomethingbetweenasnarlandasmile;’becausetositstillandwearit，ortofallasleepandwearit，isamockery。That’sall，friend。’

’Whatwouldyouhaveusdo，master！’criedHugh。

’Nothing，’returnedGashford，shrugginghisshoulders，’nothing。

Whenmylordwasreproachedandthreatenedforstandingbyyou，I，asaprudentman，wouldhavehadyoudonothing。Whenthesoldiersweretramplingyouundertheirhorses’feet，Iwouldhavehadyoudonothing。Whenoneofthemwasstruckdownbyadaringhand，andIsawconfusionanddismayinalltheirfaces，Iwouldhavehadyoudonothing——justwhatyoudid，inshort。Thisistheyoungmanwhohadsolittleprudenceandsomuchboldness。Ah！Iamsorryforhim。’

’Sorry，master！’criedHugh。

’Sorry，MusterGashford！’echoedDennis。

’Incasethereshouldbeaproclamationoutto-morrow，offeringfivehundredpounds，orsomesuchtrifle，forhisapprehension;andincaseitshouldincludeanothermanwhodroppedintothelobbyfromthestairsabove，’saidGashford，coldly;’still，donothing。’

’Fireandfury，master！’criedHugh，startingup。’Whathavewedone，thatyoushouldtalktouslikethis！’

’Nothing，’returnedGashfordwithasneer。’Ifyouarecastintoprison;iftheyoungman——’herehelookedhardatBarnaby’sattentiveface——’isdraggedfromusandfromhisfriends;perhapsfrompeoplewhomheloves，andwhomhisdeathwouldkill;isthrownintojail，broughtoutandhangedbeforetheireyes;still，donothing。You’llfindityourbestpolicy，Ihavenodoubt。’

’Comeon！’criedHugh，stridingtowardsthedoor。’Dennis——

Barnaby——comeon！’

’Where？Todowhat？’saidGashford，slippingpasthim，andstandingwithhisbackagainstit。

’Anywhere！Anything！’criedHugh。’Standaside，master，orthewindowwillserveourturnaswell。Letusout！’

’Hahaha！Youareofsuch——ofsuchanimpetuousnature，’saidGashford，changinghismannerforoneoftheutmostgoodfellowshipandthepleasantestraillery;’youaresuchanexcitablecreature——

butyou’lldrinkwithmebeforeyougo？’

’Oh，yes——certainly，’growledDennis，drawinghissleeveacrosshisthirstylips。’Nomalice，brother。DrinkwithMusterGashford！’

Hughwipedhisheatedbrow，andrelaxedintoasmile。Theartfulsecretarylaughedoutright。

’Someliquorhere！Bequick，orhe’llnotstop，evenforthat。Heisamanofsuchdesperateardour！’saidthesmoothsecretary，whomMrDenniscorroboratedwithsundrynodsandmutteredoaths——’Onceroused，heisafellowofsuchfiercedetermination！’

Hughpoisedhissturdyarmaloft，andclappingBarnabyontheback，badehimfearnothing。Theyshookhandstogether——poorBarnabyevidentlypossessedwiththeideathathewasamongthemostvirtuousanddisinterestedheroesintheworld——andGashfordlaughedagain。

’Ihear，’hesaidsmoothly，ashestoodamongthemwithagreatmeasureofliquorinhishand，andfilledtheirglassesasquicklyandasoftenastheychose，’Ihear——butIcannotsaywhetheritbetrueorfalse——thatthemenwhoareloiteringinthestreetsto-

nightarehalfdisposedtopulldownaRomishchapelortwo，andthattheyonlywantleaders。IevenheardmentionofthoseinDukeStreet，Lincoln’sInnFields，andinWarwickStreet，GoldenSquare;butcommonreport，youknow——Youarenotgoing？’——

’Todonothing，rnaster，eh？’criedHugh。’NojailsandhalterforBarnabyandme。Theymustbefrightenedoutofthat。Leadersarewanted，arethey？Nowboys！’

’Amostimpetuousfellow！’criedthesecretary。’Haha！A

courageous，boisterous，mostvehementfellow！Amanwho——’

Therewasnoneedtofinishthesentence，fortheyhadrushedoutofthehouse，andwerefarbeyondhearing。Hestoppedinthemiddleofalaugh，listened，drewonhisgloves，and，claspinghishandsbehindhim，pacedthedesertedroomforalongtime，thenbenthisstepstowardsthebusytown，andwalkedintothestreets。

Theywerefilledwithpeople，fortherumourofthatday’sproceedingshadmadeagreatnoise。Thosepersonswhodidnotcaretoleavehome，wereattheirdoorsorwindows，andonetopicofdiscourseprevailedoneveryside。Somereportedthattheriotswereeffectuallyputdown;othersthattheyhadbrokenoutagain:

somesaidthatLordGeorgeGordonhadbeensentunderastrongguardtotheTower;othersthatanattempthadbeenmadeupontheKing’slife，thatthesoldiershadbeenagaincalledout，andthatthenoiseofmusketryinadistantpartofthetownhadbeenplainlyheardwithinanhour。Asitgrewdarker，thesestoriesbecamemoredirefulandmysterious;andoften，whensomefrightenedpassengerranpastwithtidingsthattherioterswerenotfaroff，andwerecomingup，thedoorswereshutandbarred，lowerwindowsmadesecure，andasmuchconsternationengendered，asifthecitywereinvadedbyaforeignarmy。

Gashfordwalkedstealthilyabout，listeningtoallheheard，anddiffusingorconfirming，wheneverhehadanopportunity，suchfalseintelligenceassuitedhisownpurpose;and，busilyoccupiedinthisway，turnedintoHolbornforthetwentiethtime，whenagreatmanywomenandchildrencameflyingalongthestreet——oftenpantingandlookingback——andtheconfusedmurmurofnumerousvoicesstruckuponhisear。Assuredbythesetokens，andbytheredlightwhichbegantoflashuponthehousesoneitherside，thatsomeofhisfriendswereindeedapproaching，hebeggedamoment’sshelteratadoorwhichopenedashepassed，andrunningwithsomeotherpersonstoanupperwindow，lookedoutuponthecrowd。

Theyhadtorchesamongthem，andthechieffacesweredistinctlyvisible。Thattheyhadbeenengagedinthedestructionofsomebuildingwassufficientlyapparent，andthatitwasaCatholicplaceofworshipwasevidentfromthespoilstheyboreastrophies，whichwereeasilyrecognisableforthevestmentsofpriests，andrichfragmentsofaltarfurniture。Coveredwithsoot，anddirt，anddust，andlime;theirgarmentstorntorags;theirhairhangingwildlyaboutthem;theirhandsandfacesjaggedandbleedingwiththewoundsofrustynails;Barnaby，Hugh，andDennishurriedonbeforethemall，likehideousmadmen。Afterthem，thedensethrongcamefightingon:somesinging;someshoutingintriumph;somequarrellingamongthemselves;somemenacingthespectatorsastheypassed;somewithgreatwoodenfragments，onwhichtheyspenttheirrageasiftheyhadbeenalive，rendingthemlimbfromlimb，andhurlingthescatteredmorselshighintotheair;someinadrunkenstate，unconsciousofthehurtstheyhadreceivedfromfallingbricks，andstones，andbeams;oneborneuponashutter，intheverymidst，coveredwithadingycloth，asenseless，ghastlyheap。

Thus——avisionofcoarsefaces，withhereandthereablotofflaring，smokylight;adreamofdemonheadsandsavageeyes，andsticksandironbarsupliftedintheair，andwhirledabout;abewilderinghorror，inwhichsomuchwasseen，andyetsolittle，whichseemedsolong，andyetsoshort，inwhichthereweresomanyphantoms，nottobeforgottenallthroughlife，andyetsomanythingsthatcouldnotbeobservedinonedistractingglimpse——itflittedonward，andwasgone。

Asitpassedawayuponitsworkofwrathandruin，apiercingscreamwasheard。Aknotofpersonsrantowardsthespot;

Gashford，whojustthenemergedintothestreet，amongthem。Hewasontheoutskirtsofthelittleconcourse，andcouldnotseeorhearwhatpassedwithin;butonewhohadabetterplace，informedhimthatawidowwomanhaddescriedhersonamongtherioters。

’Isthatall？’saidthesecretary，turninghisfacehomewards。

’Well！Ithinkthislooksalittlemorelikebusiness！’

Chapter51

PromisingastheseoutragesweretoGashford’sview，andmuchlikebusinessastheylooked，theyextendedthatnightnofarther。Thesoldierswereagaincalledout，againtheytookhalf-a-dozenprisoners，andagainthecrowddispersedafterashortandbloodlessscuffle。Hotanddrunkenthoughtheywere，theyhadnotyetbrokenallboundsandsetalllawandgovernmentatdefiance。

Somethingoftheirhabitualdeferencetotheauthorityerectedbysocietyforitsownpreservationyetremainedamongthem，andhaditsmajestybeenvindicatedintime，thesecretarywouldhavehadtodigestabitterdisappointment。

Bymidnight，thestreetswereclearandquiet，and，savethattherestoodintwopartsofthetownaheapofnoddingwallsandpileofrubbish，wheretherehadbeenatsunsetarichandhandsomebuilding，everythingworeitsusualaspect。EventheCatholicgentryandtradesmen，ofwhomthereweremanyresidentindifferentpartsoftheCityanditssuburbs，hadnofearfortheirlivesorproperty，andbutlittleindignationforthewrongtheyhadalreadysustainedintheplunderanddestructionoftheirtemplesofworship。Anhonestconfidenceinthegovernmentunderwhoseprotectiontheyhadlivedformanyyears，andawell-foundedrelianceonthegoodfeelingandrightthinkingofthegreatmassofthecommunity，withwhom，notwithstandingtheirreligiousdifferences，theywereeverydayinhabitsofconfidential，affectionate，andfriendlyintercourse，reassuredthem，evenundertheexcessesthathadbeencommitted;andconvincedthemthattheywhowereProtestantsinanythingbutthename，werenomoretobeconsideredasabettorsofthesedisgracefuloccurrences，thantheythemselveswerechargeablewiththeusesoftheblock，therack，thegibbet，andthestakeincruelMary’sreign。

Theclockwasonthestrokeofone，whenGabrielVarden，withhisladyandMissMiggs，satwaitinginthelittleparlour。Thisfact;

thetopplingwicksofthedull，wastedcandles;thesilencethatprevailed;and，aboveall，thenightcapsofbothmaidandmatron，weresufficientevidencethattheyhadbeenpreparedforbedsometimeago，andhadsomereasonforsittingupsofarbeyondtheirusualhour。

Ifanyothercorroborativetestimonyhadbeenrequired，itwouldhavebeenabundantlyfurnishedintheactionsofMissMiggs，who，havingarrivedatthatrestlessstateandsensitiveconditionofthenervoussystemwhicharetheresultoflongwatching，did，byaconstantrubbingandtweakingofhernose，aperpetualchangeofposition(arisingfromthesuddengrowthofimaginaryknotsandknobsinherchair)，afrequentfrictionofhereyebrows，theincessantrecurrenceofasmallcough，asmallgroan，agasp，asigh，asniff，aspasmodicstart，andbyotherdemonstrationsofthatnature，sofiledownandrasp，asitwere，thepatienceofthelocksmith，thatafterlookingatherinsilenceforsometime，heatlastbrokeoutintothisapostrophe:——

’Miggs，mygoodgirl，gotobed——dogotobed。You’rereallyworsethanthedrippingofahundredwater-buttsoutsidethewindow，orthescratchingofasmanymicebehindthewainscot。Ican’tbearit。Dogotobed，Miggs。Toobligeme——do。’

’Youhaven’tgotnothingtountie，sir，’returnedMissMiggs，’andthereforeyourrequestsdoesnotsurpriseme。Butmissishas——andwhileyousitup，mim’——sheadded，turningtothelocksmith’swife，’Icouldn’t，no，notiftwentytimesthequantityofcoldwaterwasaperientlyrunningdownmybackatthismoment，gotobedwithaquietspirit。’

Havingspokenthesewords，MissMiggsmadediverseffortstorubhershouldersinanimpossibleplace，andshiveredfromheadtofoot;therebygivingthebeholderstounderstandthattheimaginarycascadewasstillinfullflow，butthatasenseofdutyupheldherunderthatandallothersufferings，andnervedhertoendurance。

MrsVardenbeingtoosleepytospeak，andMissMiggshaving，asthephraseis，saidhersay，thelocksmithhadnothingforitbuttosighandbeasquietashecould。

Buttobequietwithsuchabasiliskbeforehimwasimpossible。

Ifhelookedanotherway，itwasworsetofeelthatshewasrubbinghercheek，ortwitchingherear，orwinkinghereye，ormakingallkindsofextraordinaryshapeswithhernose，thantoseeherdoit。

Ifshewasforamomentfreefromanyofthesecomplaints，itwasonlybecauseofherfootbeingasleep，orofherarmhavinggotthefidgets，orofherlegbeingdoubledupwiththecramp，orofsomeotherhorribledisorderwhichrackedherwholeframe。Ifshedidenjoyamoment’sease，thenwithhereyesshutandhermouthwideopen，shewouldbeseentositverystiffanduprightinherchair;

thentonodalittlewayforward，andstopwithajerk;thentonodalittlefartherforward，andstopwithanotherjerk;thentorecoverherself;thentocomeforwardagain——lower——lower——lower——

byveryslowdegrees，until，justasitseemedimpossiblethatshecouldpreserveherbalanceforanotherinstant，andthelocksmithwasabouttocalloutinanagony，tosaveherfromdashingdownuponherforeheadandfracturingherskull，thenallofasuddenandwithoutthesmallestnotice，shewouldcomeuprightandrigidagainwithhereyesopen，andinhercountenanceanexpressionofdefiance，sleepybutyetmostobstinate，whichplainlysaid，’I’veneveronceclosed’emsinceIlookedatyoulast，andI’lltakemyoathofit！’

Atlength，aftertheclockhadstrucktwo，therewasasoundatthestreetdoor，asifsomebodyhadfallenagainsttheknockerbyaccident。MissMiggsimmediatelyjumpingupandclappingherhands，criedwithadrowsyminglingofthesacredandprofane，’AllyLooyer，mim！there’sSimmuns’sknock！’

’Who’sthere？’saidGabriel。

’Me！’criedthewell-knownvoiceofMrTappertit。Gabrielopenedthedoor，andgavehimadmission。

Hedidnotcutaveryinsinuatingfigure，foramanofhisstaturesuffersinacrowd;andhavingbeenactiveinyesterdaymorning’swork，hisdresswasliterallycrushedfromheadtofoot:hishatbeingbeatenoutofallshape，andhisshoestroddendownatheellikeslippers。Hiscoatflutteredinstripsabouthim，thebucklesweretornawaybothfromhiskneesandfeet，halfhisneckerchiefwasgone，andthebosomofhisshirtwasrenttotatters。Yetnotwithstandingallthesepersonaldisadvantages;despitehisbeingveryweakfromheatandfatigue;andsobegrimedwithmudanddustthathemighthavebeeninacase，foranythingoftherealtexture(eitherofhisskinorapparel)thattheeyecoulddiscern;hestalkedhaughtilyintotheparlour，andthrowinghimselfintoachair，andendeavouringtothrusthishandsintothepocketsofhissmall-clothes，whichwereturnedinsideoutanddisplayeduponhislegs，liketassels，surveyedthehouseholdwithagloomydignity。

’Simon，’saidthelocksmithgravely，’howcomesitthatyoureturnhomeatthistimeofnight，andinthiscondition？Givemeanassurancethatyouhavenotbeenamongtherioters，andIamsatisfied。’

’Sir，’repliedMrTappertit，withacontemptuouslook，’IwonderatYOURassuranceinmakingsuchdemands。’

’Youhavebeendrinking，’saidthelocksmith。

’Asageneralprinciple，andinthemostoffensivesenseofthewords，sir，’returnedhisjourneymanwithgreatself-possession，’Iconsideryoualiar。Inthatlastobservationyouhaveunintentionally——unintentionally，sir，——struckuponthetruth。’

’Martha，’saidthelocksmith，turningtohiswife，andshakinghisheadsorrowfully，whileasmileattheabsurdfigurebesidehimstillplayeduponhisopenface，’Itrustitmayturnoutthatthispoorladisnotthevictimoftheknavesandfoolswehavesooftenhadwordsabout，andwhohavedonesomuchharmto-day。IfhehasbeenatWarwickStreetorDukeStreetto-night——’

’Hehasbeenatneither，sir，’criedMrTappertitinaloudvoice，whichhesuddenlydroppedintoawhisperasherepeated，witheyesfixeduponthelocksmith，’hehasbeenatneither。’

’Iamgladofit，withallmyheart，’saidthelocksmithinaserioustone;’forifhehadbeen，anditcouldbeprovedagainsthim，Martha，yourGreatAssociationwouldhavebeentohimthecartthatdrawsmentothegallowsandleavesthemhangingintheair。

Itwould，assureaswe’realive！’

MrsVardenwastoomuchscaredbySimon’salteredmannerandappearance，andbytheaccountsoftherioterswhichhadreachedherearsthatnight，toofferanyretort，ortohaverecoursetoherusualmatrimonialpolicy。MissMiggswrungherhands，andwept。

’HewasnotatDukeStreet，oratWarwickStreet，G。Varden，’saidSimon，sternly;’butheWASatWestminster。Perhaps，sir，hekickedacountymember，perhaps，sir，hetappedalord——youmaystare，sir，Irepeatit——bloodflowedfromnoses，andperhapshetappedalord。Whoknows？This，’headded，puttinghishandintohiswaistcoat-pocket，andtakingoutalargetooth，atthesightofwhichbothMiggsandMrsVardenscreamed，’thiswasabishop’s。

Beware，G。Varden！’

’Now，Iwouldrather，’saidthelocksmithhastily，’havepaidfivehundredpounds，thanhadthiscometopass。Youidiot，doyouknowwhatperilyoustandin？’

’Iknowit，sir，’repliedhisjourneyman，’anditismyglory。I

wasthere，everybodysawmethere。Iwasconspicuous，andprominent。Iwillabidetheconsequences。’

Thelocksmith，reallydisturbedandagitated，pacedtoandfroinsilence——glancingathisformer’prenticeeverynowandthen——andatlengthstoppingbeforehim，said:

’Gettobed，andsleepforacoupleofhoursthatyoumaywakepenitent，andwithsomeofyoursensesaboutyou。Besorryforwhatyouhavedone，andwewilltrytosaveyou。IfIcallhimbyfiveo’clock，’saidVarden，turninghurriedlytohiswife，andhewasheshimselfcleanandchangeshisdress，hemaygettotheTowerStairs，andawaybytheGravesendtide-boat，beforeanysearchismadeforhim。FromtherehecaneasilygetontoCanterbury，whereyourcousinwillgivehimworktillthisstormhasblownover。IamnotsurethatIdorightinscreeninghimfromthepunishmenthedeserves，buthehaslivedinthishouse，manandboy，foradozenyears，andIshouldbesorryifforthisoneday’sworkhemadeamiserableend。Lockthefront-door，Miggs，andshownolighttowardsthestreetwhenyougoupstairs。Quick，Simon！

Gettobed！’

’Anddoyousuppose，sir，’retortedMrTappertit，withathicknessandslownessofspeechwhichcontrastedforciblywiththerapidityandearnestnessofhiskind-heartedmaster——’anddoyousuppose，sir，thatIambaseandmeanenoughtoacceptyourservileproposition？——Miscreant！’

’Whateveryouplease，Sim，butgettobed。Everyminuteisofconsequence。Thelighthere，Miggs！’

’Yesyes，ohdo！Gotobeddirectly，’criedthetwowomentogether。

MrTappertitstooduponhisfeet，andpushinghischairawaytoshowthatheneedednoassistance，answered，swayinghimselftoandfro，andmanaginghisheadasifithadnoconnectionwhateverwithhisbody:

’YouspokeofMiggs，sir——Miggsmaybesmothered！’

’OhSimmun！’ejaculatedthatyoungladyinafaintvoice。’Ohmim！

Ohsir！Ohgoodnessgracious，whataturnhehasgiveme！’

’ThisfamilymayALLbesmothered，sir，’returnedMrTappertit，afterglancingatherwithasmileofineffabledisdain，’exceptingMrsV。Ihavecomehere，sir，forhersake，thisnight。MrsVarden，takethispieceofpaper。It’saprotection，ma’am。Youmayneedit。’

Withthesewordsheheldoutatarm’slength，adirty，crumpledscrapofwriting。Thelocksmithtookitfromhim，openedit，andreadasfollows:

’Allgoodfriendstoourcause，Ihopewillbeparticular，anddonoinjurytothepropertyofanytrueProtestant。Iamwellassuredthattheproprietorofthishouseisastaunchandworthyfriendtothecause。

GEORGEGORDON。’

’What’sthis！’saidthelocksmith，withanalteredface。

’Somethingthat’lldoyougoodservice，youngfeller，’repliedhisjourneyman，’asyou’llfind。Keepthatsafe，andwhereyoucanlayyourhanduponitinaninstant。Andchalk“NoPopery“onyourdoorto-morrownight，andforaweektocome——that’sall。’

’Thisisagenuinedocument，’saidthelocksmith，’Iknow，forI

haveseenthehandbefore。Whatthreatdoesitimply？Whatdevilisabroad？’

’Afierydevil，’retortedSim;’aflaming，furiousdevil。Don’tyouputyourselfinitsway，oryou’redonefor，mybuck。Bewarnedintime，G。Varden。Farewell！’

Butherethetwowomenthrewthemselvesinhisway——especiallyMissMiggs，whofelluponhimwithsuchfervourthatshepinnedhimagainstthewall——andconjuredhiminmovingwordsnottogoforthtillhewassober;tolistentoreason;tothinkofit;totakesomerest，andthendetermine。

’Itellyou，’saidMrTappertit，’thatmymindismadeup。MybleedingcountrycallsmeandIgo！Miggs，ifyoudon’tgetoutoftheway，I’llpinchyou。’

MissMiggs，stillclingingtotherebel，screamedoncevociferously——butwhetherinthedistractionofhermind，orbecauseofhishavingexecutedhisthreat，isuncertain。

’Releaseme，’saidSimon，strugglingtofreehimselffromherchaste，butspider-likeembrace。’Letmego！Ihavemadearrangementsforyouinanalteredstateofsociety，andmeantoprovideforyoucomfortablyinlife——there！Willthatsatisfyyou？’

’OhSimmun！’criedMissMiggs。’OhmyblessedSimmun！Ohmim！

whataremyfeelingsatthisconflictingmoment！’

Ofaratherturbulentdescription，itwouldseem;forhernightcaphadbeenknockedoffinthescuffle，andshewasonherkneesuponthefloor，makingastrangerevelationofblueandyellowcurl-

papers，stragglinglocksofhair，tagsofstaylaces，andstringsofit’simpossibletosaywhat;pantingforbreath，claspingherhands，turninghereyesupwards，sheddingabundanceoftears，andexhibitingvariousothersymptomsoftheacutestmentalsuffering。

’Ileave，’saidSimon，turningtohismaster，withanutterdisregardofMiggs’smaidenlyaffliction，’aboxofthingsupstairs。Dowhatyoulikewith’em。Idon’twant’em。I’mnevercomingbackhere，anymore。Provideyourself，sir，withajourneyman;I’mmycountry’sjourneyman;henceforwardthat’sMY

lineofbusiness。’

’Bewhatyoulikeintwohours’time，butnowgouptobed，’

returnedthelocksmith，plantinghimselfinthedoorway。’Doyouhearme？Gotobed！’

’Ihearyou，anddefyyou，Varden，’rejoinedSimonTappertit。

’Thisnight，sir，Ihavebeeninthecountry，planninganexpeditionwhichshallfillyourbell-hangingsoulwithwonderanddismay。Theplotdemandsmyutmostenergy。Letmepass！’

’I’llknockyoudownifyoucomenearthedoor，’repliedthelocksmith。’Youhadbettergotobed！’

Simonmadenoanswer，butgatheringhimselfupasstraightashecould，plungedheadforemostathisoldmaster，andthetwowentdrivingoutintotheworkshoptogether，plyingtheirhandsandfeetsobrisklythattheylookedlikehalf-a-dozen，whileMiggsandMrsVardenscreamedfortwelve。

ItwouldhavebeeneasyforVardentoknockhisold’prenticedown，andbindhimhandandfoot;butashewaslothtohurthiminhisthendefencelessstate，hecontentedhimselfwithparryinghisblowswhenhecould，takingtheminperfectgoodpartwhenhecouldnot，andkeepingbetweenhimandthedoor，untilafavourableopportunityshouldpresentitselfforforcinghimtoretreatup-

stairs，andshuttinghimupinhisownroom。But，inthegoodnessofhisheart，hecalculatedtoomuchuponhisadversary’sweakness，andforgotthatdrunkenmenwhohavelostthepowerofwalkingsteadily，canoftenrun。Watchinghistime，SimonTappertitmadeacunningshowoffallingback，staggeredunexpectedlyforward，brushedpasthim，openedthedoor(heknewthetrickofthatlockwell)，anddarteddownthestreetlikeamaddog。Thelocksmithpausedforamomentintheexcessofhisastonishment，andthengavechase。

Itwasanexcellentseasonforarun，foratthatsilenthourthestreetsweredeserted，theairwascool，andtheflyingfigurebeforehimdistinctlyvisibleatagreatdistance，asitspedaway，withalonggauntshadowfollowingatitsheels。Buttheshort-

windedlocksmithhadnochanceagainstamanofSim’syouthandsparefigure，thoughthedayhadbeenwhenhecouldhaverunhimdowninnotime。Thespacebetweenthemrapidlyincreased，andastheraysoftherisingsunstreameduponSimonintheactofturningadistantcorner，GabrielVardenwasfaintogiveup，andsitdownonadoorsteptofetchhisbreath。Simonmeanwhile，withoutoncestopping，fledatthesamedegreeofswiftnesstoTheBoot，where，ashewellknew，someofhiscompanywerelying，andatwhichrespectablehostelry——forhehadalreadyacquiredthedistinctionofbeingingreatperilofthelaw——afriendlywatchhadbeenexpectinghimallnight，andwasevennowonthelook-outforhiscoming。

’Gothyways，Sim，gothyways，’saidthelocksmith，assoonashecouldspeak。’Ihavedonemybestforthee，poorlad，andwouldhavesavedthee，buttheropeisroundthyneck，Ifear。’

Sosaying，andshakinghisheadinaverysorrowfulanddisconsolatemanner，heturnedback，andsoonre-enteredhisownhouse，whereMrsVardenandthefaithfulMiggshadbeenanxiouslyexpectinghisreturn。

NowMrsVarden(andbyconsequenceMissMiggslikewise)wasimpressedwithasecretmisgivingthatshehaddonewrong;thatshehad，totheutmostofhersmallmeans，aidedandabettedthegrowthofdisturbances，theendofwhichitwasimpossibletoforesee;

thatshehadledremotelytothescenewhichhadjustpassed;andthatthelocksmith’stimefortriumphandreproachhadnowarrivedindeed。AndsostronglydidMrsVardenfeelthis，andsocrestfallenwassheinconsequence，thatwhileherhusbandwaspursuingtheirlostjourneyman，shesecretedunderherchairthelittlered-brickdwelling-housewiththeyellowroof，lestitshouldfurnishnewoccasionforreferencetothepainfultheme;andnowhidthesamestillmore，withtheskirtsofherdress。

Butithappenedthatthelocksmithhadbeenthinkingofthisveryarticleonhiswayhome，andthat，comingintotheroomandnotseeingit，heatoncedemandedwhereitwas。

MrsVardenhadnoresourcebuttoproduceit，whichshedidwithmanytears，andbrokenprotestationsthatifshecouldhaveknown——

’Yes，yes，’saidVarden，’ofcourse——Iknowthat。Idon’tmeantoreproachyou，mydear。Butrecollectfromthistimethatallgoodthingspervertedtoevilpurposes，areworsethanthosewhicharenaturallybad。Athoroughlywickedwoman，iswickedindeed。Whenreligiongoeswrong，sheisverywrong，forthesamereason。Letussaynomoreaboutit，mydear。’

Sohedroppedthered-brickdwelling-houseonthefloor，andsettinghisheeluponit，crusheditintopieces。Thehalfpence，andsixpences，andothervoluntarycontributions，rolledaboutinalldirections，butnobodyofferedtotouchthem，ortotakethemup。

’That，’saidthelocksmith，’iseasilydisposedof，andIwouldtoHeaventhateverythinggrowingoutofthesamesocietycouldbesettledaseasily。’

’Ithappensveryfortunately，Varden，’saidhiswife，withherhandkerchieftohereyes，’thatincaseanymoredisturbancesshouldhappen——whichIhopenot;Isincerelyhopenot——’

’Ihopesotoo，mydear。’

’——Thatincaseanyshouldoccur，wehavethepieceofpaperwhichthatpoormisguidedyoungmanbrought。’

’Ay，tobesure，’saidthelocksmith，turningquicklyround。

’Whereisthatpieceofpaper？’

MrsVardenstoodaghastashetookitfromheroutstretchedband，toreitintofragments，andthrewthemunderthegrate。

’Notuseit？’shesaid。

’Useit！’criedthelocksmith。No！Letthemcomeandpulltheroofaboutourears;letthemburnusoutofhouseandhome;I’dneitherhavetheprotectionoftheirleader，norchalktheirhowluponmydoor，though，fornotdoingit，theyshotmeonmyownthreshold。Useit！Letthemcomeanddotheirworst。Thefirstmanwhocrossesmydoorsteponsuchanerrandastheirs，hadbetterbeahundredmilesaway。Lethimlooktoit。Theothersmayhavetheirwill。Iwouldn’tbegorbuythemoff，if，insteadofeverypoundofironintheplace，therewasahundredweightofgold。

Getyoutobed，Martha。Ishalltakedowntheshuttersandgotowork。’

’Soearly！’saidhiswife。

’Ay，’repliedthelocksmithcheerily，’soearly。Comewhentheymay，theyshallnotfindusskulkingandhiding，asifwefearedtotakeourportionofthelightofday，andleftitalltothem。Sopleasantdreamstoyou，mydear，andcheerfulsleep！’

Withthathegavehiswifeaheartykiss，andbadeherdelaynolonger，oritwouldbetimetorisebeforeshelaydowntorest。

MrsVardenquiteamiablyandmeeklywalkedupstairs，followedbyMiggs，who，althoughagooddealsubdued，couldnotrefrainfromsundrystimulativecoughsandsniffsbytheway，orfromholdingupherhandsinastonishmentatthedaringconductofmaster。

Chapter52

Amobisusuallyacreatureofverymysteriousexistence，particularlyinalargecity。Whereitcomesfromorwhitheritgoes，fewmencantell。Assemblinganddispersingwithequalsuddenness，itisasdifficulttofollowtoitsvarioussourcesastheseaitself;nordoestheparallelstophere，fortheoceanisnotmorefickleanduncertain，moreterriblewhenroused，moreunreasonable，ormorecruel。

ThepeoplewhowereboisterousatWestminsterupontheFridaymorning，andwereeagerlybentupontheworkofdevastationinDukeStreetandWarwickStreetatnight，were，inthemass，thesame。

Allowingforthechanceaccessionsofwhichanycrowdismorallysureinatownwheretheremustalwaysbealargenumberofidleandprofligatepersons，oneandthesamemobwasatbothplaces。

Yettheyspreadthemselvesinvariousdirectionswhentheydispersedintheafternoon，madenoappointmentforreassembling，hadnodefinitepurposeordesign，andindeed，foranythingtheyknew，werescatteredbeyondthehopeoffutureunion。

AtTheBoot，which，ashasbeenshown，wasinamannerthehead-

quartersoftherioters，therewerenot，uponthisFridaynight，adozenpeople。Somesleptinthestableandouthouses，someinthecommonroom，sometwoorthreeinbeds。Therestwereintheirusualhomesorhaunts。Perhapsnotascoreinalllayintheadjacentfieldsandlanes，andunderhaystacks，ornearthewarmthofbrick-kilns，whohadnottheiraccustomedplaceofrestbeneaththeopensky。Astothepublicwayswithinthetown，theyhadtheirordinarynightlyoccupants，andnoothers;theusualamountofviceandwretchedness，butnomore。

Theexperienceofoneevening，however，hadtaughttherecklessleadersofdisturbance，thattheyhadbuttoshowthemselvesinthestreets，tobeimmediatelysurroundedbymaterialswhichtheycouldonlyhavekepttogetherwhentheiraidwasnotrequired，atgreatrisk，expense，andtrouble。Oncepossessedofthissecret，theywereasconfidentasiftwentythousandmen，devotedtotheirwill，hadbeenencampedaboutthem，andassumedaconfidencewhichcouldnothavebeensurpassed，thoughthathadreallybeenthecase。Allday，Saturday，theyremainedquiet。OnSunday，theyratherstudiedhowtokeeptheirmenwithincall，andinfullhope，thantofollowout，byanyfiercemeasure，theirfirstday’sproceedings。

’Ihope，’saidDennis，as，withaloudyawn，heraisedhisbodyfromaheapofstrawonwhichhehadbeensleeping，andsupportinghisheaduponhishand，appealedtoHughonSundaymorning，’thatMusterGashfordallowssomerest？Perhapshe’dhaveusatworkagainalready，eh？’

’It’snothiswaytoletmattersdrop，youmaybesureofthat，’

growledHughinanswer。’I’minnohumourtostiryet，though。

I’masstiffasadeadbody，andasfullofuglyscratchesasifI

hadbeenfightingalldayyesterdaywithwildcats。’

’You’vesomuchenthusiasm，that’sit，’saidDennis，lookingwithgreatadmirationattheuncombedhead，mattedbeard，andtornhandsandfaceofthewildfigurebeforehim;’you’resuchadevilofafellow。Youhurtyourselfahundredtimesmorethanyouneed，becauseyouwillbeforemostineverything，andwilldomorethantherest。’

’Forthematterofthat，’returnedHugh，shakingbackhisraggedhairandglancingtowardsthedoorofthestableinwhichtheylay;

’there’soneyonderasgoodasme。WhatdidItellyouabouthim？

DidIsayhewasworthadozen，whenyoudoubtedhim？’

MrDennisrolledlazilyoveruponhisbreast，andrestinghischinuponhishandinimitationoftheattitudeinwhichHughlay，said，ashetoolookedtowardsthedoor:

’Ay，ay，youknewhim，brother，youknewhim。Butwho’dsupposetolookatthatchapnow，thathecouldbethemanheis！Isn’titathousandcruelpities，brother，thatinsteadoftakinghisnat’ralrestandqualifyinghimselfforfurtherexertionsinthisherehonourablecause，heshouldbeplayingatsoldierslikeaboy？Andhiscleanlinesstoo！’saidMrDennis，whocertainlyhadnoreasontoentertainafellowfeelingwithanybodywhowasparticularonthatscore;’whatweaknesseshe’sguiltyof;withrespecttohiscleanliness！Atfiveo’clockthismorning，therehewasatthepump，thoughanyonewouldthinkhehadgonethroughenough，thedaybeforeyesterday，tobeprettyfastasleepatthattime。Butno——whenIwokeforaminuteortwo，therehewasatthepump，andifyou’dseenhimstickingthempeacock’sfeathersintohishatwhenhe’ddonewashing——ah！I’msorryhe’ssuchaimperfectcharacter，butthebestonusisincompleteinsomepintofvieworanother。’

Thesubjectofthisdialogueandoftheseconcludingremarks，whichwereutteredinatoneofphilosophicalmeditation，was，asthereaderwillhavedivined，nootherthanBarnaby，who，withhisflaginhand，stoodsentryinthelittlepatchofsunlightatthedistantdoor，orwalkedtoandfrooutside，singingsoftlytohimself;andkeepingtimetothemusicofsomeclearchurchbells。

Whetherhestoodstill，leaningwithbothhandsontheflagstaff，or，bearingituponhisshoulder，pacedslowlyupanddown，thecarefularrangementofhispoordress，andhiserectandloftybearing，showedhowhighasensehehadofthegreatimportanceofhistrust，andhowhappyandhowprouditmadehim。ToHughandhiscompanion，wholayinadarkcornerofthegloomyshed，he，andthesunlight，andthepeacefulSabbathsoundtowhichhemaderesponse，seemedlikeabrightpictureframedbythedoor，andsetoffbythestable’sblackness。Thewholeformedsuchacontrasttothemselves，astheylaywallowing，likesomeobsceneanimals，intheirsqualorandwickednessonthetwoheapsofstraw，thatforafewmomentstheylookedonwithoutspeaking，andfeltalmostashamed。

’Ah！’saidHughatlength，carryingitoffwithalaugh:’He’sararefellowisBarnaby，andcandomore，withlessrest，ormeat，ordrink，thananyofus。Astohissoldiering，Iputhimondutythere。’

’Thentherewasaobjectinit，andapropergoodonetoo，I’llbesworn，’retortedDenniswithabroadgrin，andanoathofthesamequality。’Whatwasit，brother？’

’Why，yousee，’saidHugh，crawlingalittlenearertohim，’thatournoblecaptainyonder，cameinyesterdaymorningrathertheworseforliquor，andwas——likeyouandme——dittolastnight。’

DennislookedtowhereSimonTappertitlaycoileduponatrussofhay，snoringprofoundly，andnodded。

’Andournoblecaptain，’continuedHughwithanotherlaugh，’ournoblecaptainandI，haveplannedforto-morrowaroaringexpedition，withgoodprofitinit。’

’AgainthePapists？’askedDennis，rubbinghishands。

’Ay，againstthePapists——againstoneof’ematleast，thatsomeofus，andIforone，oweagoodheavygrudgeto。’

’NotMusterGashford’sfriendthathespoketousaboutinmyhouse，eh？’saidDennis，brimfullofpleasantexpectation。

’Thesameman，’saidHugh。

’That’syoursort，’criedMrDennis，gailyshakinghandswithhim，’that’sthekindofgame。Let’shaverevengesandinjuries，andallthat，andweshallgetontwiceasfast。Nowyoutalk，indeed！’

’Hahaha！Thecaptain，’addedHugh，’hasthoughtsofcarryingoffawomaninthebustle，and——hahaha！——andsohaveI！’

MrDennisreceivedthispartoftheschemewithawryface，observingthatasageneralprincipleheobjectedtowomenaltogether，asbeingunsafeandslipperypersonsonwhomtherewasnocalculatingwithanycertainty，andwhowereneverinthesamemindforfour-and-twentyhoursatastretch。Hemighthaveexpatiatedonthissuggestivethemeatmuchgreaterlength，butthatitoccurredtohimtoaskwhatconnectionexistedbetweentheproposedexpeditionandBarnaby’sbeingpostedatthestable-doorassentry;towhichHughcautiouslyrepliedinthesewords:

’Why，thepeoplewemeantovisit，werefriendsofhis，onceuponatime，andIknowthatmuchofhimtofeelprettysurethatifhethoughtweweregoingtodothemanyharm，he’dbenofriendtoourside，butwouldlendareadyhandtotheother。SoI’vepersuadedhim(forIknowhimofold)thatLordGeorgehaspickedhimouttoguardthisplaceto-morrowwhilewe’reaway，andthatit’sagreathonour——andsohe’sondutynow，andasproudofitasifhewasageneral。Haha！Whatdoyousaytomeforacarefulmanaswellasadevilofaone？’

MrDennisexhaustedhimselfincompliments，andthenadded，’Butabouttheexpeditionitself——’

’Aboutthat，’saidHugh，’youshallhearallparticularsfrommeandthegreatcaptainconjointlyandbothtogether——forsee，he’swakingup。Rouseyourself，lion-heart。Haha！Putagoodfaceuponit，anddrinkagain。Anotherhairofthedogthatbityou，captain！Callfordrink！There’senoughofgoldandsilvercupsandcandlesticksburiedunderneathmybed，’headded，rollingbackthestraw，andpointingtowherethegroundwasnewlyturned，’topayforit，ifitwasascoreofcasksfull。Drink，captain！’

MrTappertitreceivedthesejovialpromptingswithaverybadgrace，beingmuchtheworse，bothinmindandbody，forhistwonightsofdebauch，andbutindifferentlyabletostanduponhislegs。WithHugh’sassistance，however，hecontrivedtostaggertothepump;andhavingrefreshedhimselfwithanabundantdraughtofcoldwater，andacopiousshowerofthesamerefreshingliquidonhisheadandface，heorderedsomerumandmilktobeserved;anduponthatinnocentbeverageandsomebiscuitsandcheesemadeaprettyheartymeal。Thatdone，hedisposedhimselfinaneasyattitudeonthegroundbesidehistwocompanions(whowerecarousingaftertheirowntastes)，andproceededtoenlightenMrDennisinreferencetoto-morrow’sproject。

Thattheirconversationwasaninterestingone，wasrenderedmanifestbyitslength，andbythecloseattentionofallthree。

Thatitwasnotofanoppressivelygravecharacter，butwasenlivenedbyvariouspleasantriesarisingoutofthesubject，wasclearfromtheirloudandfrequentroarsoflaughter，whichstartledBarnabyonhispost，andmadehimwonderattheirlevity。

Buthewasnotsummonedtojointhem，untiltheyhadeaten，anddrunk，andslept，andtalkedtogetherforsomehours;not，indeed，untilthetwilight;whentheyinformedhimthattheywereabouttomakeaslightdemonstrationinthestreets——justtokeepthepeople’shandsin，asitwasSundaynight，andthepublicmightotherwisebedisappointed——andthathewasfreetoaccompanythemifhewould。

Withouttheslightestpreparation，savingthattheycarriedclubsandworethebluecockade，theysalliedoutintothestreets;and，withnomoresettleddesignthanthatofdoingasmuchmischiefastheycould，paradedthematrandom。Theirnumbersrapidlyincreasing，theysoondividedintoparties;andagreeingtomeetby-and-by，inthefieldsnearWelbeckStreet，scouredthetowninvariousdirections。Thelargestbody，andthatwhichaugmentedwiththegreatestrapidity，wastheonetowhichHughandBarnabybelonged。ThistookitswaytowardsMoorfields，wheretherewasarichchapel，andinwhichneighbourhoodseveralCatholicfamilieswereknowntoreside。

Beginningwiththeprivatehousessooccupied，theybrokeopenthedoorsandwindows;andwhiletheydestroyedthefurnitureandleftbutthebarewalls，madeasharpsearchfortoolsandenginesofdestruction，suchashammers，pokers，axes，saws，andsuchlikeinstruments。Manyoftheriotersmadebeltsofcord，ofhandkerchiefs，oranymaterialtheyfoundathand，andworetheseweaponsasopenlyaspioneersuponafield-day。Therewasnottheleastdisguiseorconcealment——indeed，onthisnight，verylittleexcitementorhurry。Fromthechapels，theytoredownandtookawaytheveryaltars，benches，pulpits，pews，andflooring;fromthedwelling-houses，theverywainscotingandstairs。ThisSundayevening’srecreationtheypursuedlikemereworkmenwhohadacertaintasktodo，anddidit。Fiftyresolutemenmighthaveturnedthematanymoment;asinglecompanyofsoldierscouldhavescatteredthemlikedust;butnomaninterposed，noauthorityrestrainedthem，and，exceptbytheterrifiedpersonswhofledfromtheirapproach，theywereaslittleheededasiftheywerepursuingtheirlawfuloccupationswiththeutmostsobrietyandgoodconduct。

Inthesamemanner，theymarchedtotheplaceofrendezvousagreedupon，madegreatfiresinthefields，andreservingthemostvaluableoftheirspoils，burnttherest。Priestlygarments，imagesofsaints，richstuffsandornaments，altar-furnitureandhouseholdgoods，werecastintotheflames，andshedaglareonthewholecountryround;buttheydancedandhowled，androaredaboutthesefirestilltheyweretired，andwereneverforaninstantchecked。

Asthemainbodyfiledofffromthissceneofaction，andpasseddownWelbeckStreet，theycameuponGashford，whohadbeenawitnessoftheirproceedings，andwaswalkingstealthilyalongthepavement。Keepingupwithhim，andyetnotseemingtospeak，Hughmutteredinhisear:

’Isthisbetter，master？’

’No，’saidGashford。’Itisnot。’

’Whatwouldyouhave？’saidHugh。’Feversareneverattheirheightatonce。Theymustgetonbydegrees。’

’Iwouldhaveyou，’saidGashford，pinchinghisarmwithsuchmalevolencethathisnailsseemedtomeetintheskin;’Iwouldhaveyouputsomemeaningintoyourwork。Fools！Canyoumakenobetterbonfiresthanofragsandscraps？Canyouburnnothingwhole？’

’Alittlepatience，master，’saidHugh。’Waitbutafewhours，andyoushallsee。Lookforarednessinthesky，to-morrownight。’

Withthat，hefellbackintohisplacebesideBarnaby;andwhenthesecretarylookedafterhim，bothwerelostinthecrowd。

Chapter53

Thenextdaywasusheredinbymerrypealsofbells，andbythefiringoftheTowerguns;flagswerehoistedonmanyofthechurch-

steeples;theusualdemonstrationsweremadeinhonouroftheanniversaryoftheKing’sbirthday;andeverymanwentabouthispleasureorbusinessasifthecitywereinperfectorder，andtherewerenohalf-smoulderingembersinitssecretplaces，which，ontheapproachofnight，wouldkindleupagainandscatterruinanddismayabroad。Theleadersoftheriot，renderedstillmoredaringbythesuccessoflastnightandbythebootytheyhadacquired，keptsteadilytogether，andonlythoughtofimplicatingthemassoftheirfollowerssodeeplythatnohopeofpardonorrewardmighttemptthemtobetraytheirmorenotoriousconfederatesintothehandsofjustice。

Indeed，thesenseofhavinggonetoofartobeforgiven，heldthetimidtogethernolessthanthebold。Manywhowouldreadilyhavepointedouttheforemostriotersandgivenevidenceagainstthem，feltthatescapebythatmeanswashopeless，whentheireveryacthadbeenobservedbyscoresofpeoplewhohadtakennopartinthedisturbances;whohadsufferedintheirpersons，peace，orproperty，bytheoutragesofthemob;whowouldbemostwillingwitnesses;andwhomthegovernmentwould，nodoubt，prefertoanyKing’sevidencethatmightbeoffered。ManyofthisclasshaddesertedtheirusualoccupationsontheSaturdaymorning;somehadbeenseenbytheiremployersactiveinthetumult;othersknewtheymustbesuspected，andthattheywouldbedischargediftheyreturned;othershadbeendesperatefromthebeginning，andcomfortedthemselveswiththehomelyproverb，that，beinghangedatall，theymightaswellbehangedforasheepasalamb。Theyallhopedandbelieved，inagreaterorlessdegree，thatthegovernmenttheyseemedtohaveparalysed，would，initsterror，cometotermswiththemintheend，andsufferthemtomaketheirownconditions。Theleastsanguineamongthemreasonedwithhimselfthat，attheworst，theyweretoomanytobeallpunished，andthathehadasgoodachanceofescapeasanyotherman。Thegreatmassneverreasonedorthoughtatall，butwerestimulatedbytheirownheadlongpassions，bypoverty，byignorance，bytheloveofmischief，andthehopeofplunder。

Oneothercircumstanceisworthyofremark;andthatis，thatfromthemomentoftheirfirstoutbreakatWestminster，everysymptomoforderorpreconcertedarrangementamongthemvanished。Whentheydividedintopartiesandrantodifferentquartersofthetown，itwasonthespontaneoussuggestionofthemoment。Eachpartyswelledasitwentalong，likeriversastheyrolltowardsthesea;

newleaderssprangupastheywerewanted，disappearedwhenthenecessitywasover，andreappearedatthenextcrisis。Eachtumulttookshapeandformfromthecircumstancesofthemoment;soberworkmen，goinghomefromtheirday’slabour，wereseentocastdowntheirbasketsoftoolsandbecomeriotersinaninstant;mereboysonerrandsdidthelike。Inaword，amoralplagueranthroughthecity。Thenoise，andhurry，andexcitement，hadforhundredsandhundredsanattractiontheyhadnofirmnesstoresist。Thecontagionspreadlikeadreadfever:aninfectiousmadness，asyetnotnearitsheight，seizedonnewvictimseveryhour，andsocietybegantotrembleattheirravings。

Itwasbetweentwoandthreeo’clockintheafternoonwhenGashfordlookedintothelairdescribedinthelastchapter，andseeingonlyBarnabyandDennisthere，inquiredforHugh。

Hewasout，Barnabytoldhim;hadgoneoutmorethananhourago;

andhadnotyetreturned。

’Dennis！’saidthesmilingsecretary，inhissmoothestvoice，ashesatdowncross-leggedonabarrel，’Dennis！’

Thehangmanstruggledintoasittingposturedirectly，andwithhiseyeswideopen，lookedtowardshim。

’Howdoyoudo，Dennis？’saidGashford，nodding。’Ihopeyouhavesufferednoinconveniencefromyourlateexertions，Dennis？’

’Ialwayswillsayofyou，MusterGashford，’returnedthehangman，staringathim，’thatthat’erequietwayofyoursmightalmostwakeadeadman。Itis，’headded，withamutteredoath——stillstaringathiminathoughtfulmanner——’soawfulsly！’

’Sodistinct，ehDennis？’

’Distinct！’heanswered，scratchinghishead，andkeepinghiseyesuponthesecretary’sface;’Iseemtohearit，MusterGashford，inmywerybones。’

’Iamverygladyoursenseofhearingissosharp，andthatI

succeedinmakingmyselfsointelligible，’saidGashford，inhisunvarying，eventone。’Whereisyourfriend？’

MrDennislookedroundasinexpectationofbeholdinghimasleepuponhisbedofstraw;thenrememberinghehadseenhimgoout，replied:

’Ican’tsaywhereheis，MusterGashford，Iexpectedhimbackaforenow。Ihopeitisn’ttimethatwewasbusy，MusterGashford？’

’Nay，’saidthesecretary，’whoshouldknowthataswellasyou？

HowcanItellyou，Dennis？Youareperfectmasterofyourownactions，youknow，andaccountabletonobody——exceptsometimestothelaw，eh？’

Dennis，whowasverymuchbaffledbythecoolmatter-of-coursemannerofthisreply，recoveredhisself-possessiononhisprofessionalpursuitsbeingreferredto，andpointingtowardsBarnaby，shookhisheadandfrowned。

’Hush！’criedBarnaby。

’Ah！Dohushaboutthat，MusterGashford，’saidthehangmaninalowvoice，’pop’larprejudices——youalwaysforget——well，Barnaby，mylad，what’sthematter？’

’Ihearhimcoming，’heanswered:’Hark！Doyoumarkthat？That’shisfoot！Blessyou，Iknowhisstep，andhisdog’stoo。Tramp，tramp，pit-pat，ontheycometogether，and，hahaha！——andheretheyare！’hecried，joyfullywelcomingHughwithbothhands，andthenpattinghimfondlyontheback，asifinsteadofbeingtheroughcompanionhewas，hehadbeenoneofthemostprepossessingofmen。’Hereheis，andsafetoo！Iamgladtoseehimbackagain，oldHugh！’

’I’maTurkifhedon’tgivemeawarmerwelcomealwaysthananymanofsense，’saidHugh，shakinghandswithhimwithakindofferociousfriendship，strangeenoughtosee。’Howareyou，boy？’

’Hearty！’criedBarnaby，wavinghishat。’Hahaha！Andmerrrytoo，Hugh！Andreadytodoanythingforthegoodcause，andtheright，andtohelpthekind，mild，pale-facedgentleman——thelordtheyusedsoill——eh，Hugh？’

’Ay！’returnedhisfriend，droppinghishand，andlookingatGashfordforaninstantwithachangedexpressionbeforehespoketohim。’Goodday，master！’

’Andgooddaytoyou，’repliedthesecretary，nursinghisleg。

’Andmanygooddays——wholeyearsofthem，Ihope。Youareheated。’

’Sowouldyouhavebeen，master，’saidHugh，wipinghisface，’ifyou’dbeenrunninghereasfastasIhave。’

’Youknowthenews，then？Yes，Isupposedyouwouldhaveheardit。’

’News！whatnews？’

’Youdon’t？’criedGashford，raisinghiseyebrowswithanexclamationofsurprise。’Dearme！Come;thenIAMthefirsttomakeyouacquaintedwithyourdistinguishedposition，afterall。

DoyouseetheKing’sArmsa-top？’hesmilinglyasked，ashetookalargepaperfromhispocket，unfoldedit，andhelditoutforHugh’sinspection。

’Well！’saidHugh。’What’sthattome？’

’Much。Agreatdeal，’repliedthesecretary。’Readit。’

’Itoldyou，thefirsttimeIsawyou，thatIcouldn’tread，’saidHugh，impatiently。’WhatintheDevil’sname’sinsideofit？’

’ItisaproclamationfromtheKinginCouncil，’saidGashford，’datedto-day，andofferingarewardoffivehundredpounds——fivehundredpoundsisagreatdealofmoney，andalargetemptationtosomepeople——toanyonewhowilldiscoverthepersonorpersonsmostactiveindemolishingthosechapelsonSaturdaynight。’

’Isthatall？’criedHugh，withanindifferentair。’Iknewofthat。’

’TrulyImighthaveknownyoudid，’saidGashford，smiling，andfoldingupthedocumentagain。’Yourfriend，Imighthaveguessed——

indeedIdidguess——wassuretotellyou。’

’Myfriend！’stammeredHugh，withanunsuccessfulefforttoappearsurprised。’Whatfriend？’

’Tuttut——doyousupposeIdon’tknowwhereyouhavebeen？’

retortedGashford，rubbinghishands，andbeatingthebackofoneonthepalmoftheother，andlookingathimwithacunningeye。

’Howdullyouthinkme！ShallIsayhisname？’

’No，’saidHugh，withahastyglancetowardsDennis。

’Youhavealsoheardfromhim，nodoubt，’resumedthesecretary，afteramoment’spause，’thattherioterswhohavebeentaken(poorfellows)arecommittedfortrial，andthatsomeveryactivewitnesseshavehadthetemeritytoappearagainstthem。Amongothers——’andhereheclenchedhisteeth，asifhewouldsuppressbyforcesomeviolentwordsthatroseuponhistongue;andspokeveryslowly。’Amongothers，agentlemanwhosawtheworkgoingoninWarwickStreet;aCatholicgentleman;oneHaredale。’