第17章

Theraven，placinghisheadupontheground，lookedathismastersideways，asthoughhewouldhavesaid，’Saythatagain！’

Perfectlyunderstandinghisdesire，Barnabyrepeatedthephraseagreatmanytimes。Thebirdlistenedwithprofoundattention;

sometimesrepeatingthepopularcryinalowvoice，asiftocomparethetwo，andtryifitwouldatallhelphimtothisnewaccomplishment;sometimesflappinghiswings，orbarking;andsometimesinakindofdesperationdrawingamultitudeofcorks，withextraordinaryviciousness。

Barnabywassointentuponhisfavourite，thathewasnotatfirstawareoftheapproachoftwopersonsonhorseback，whowereridingatafoot-pace，andcomingstraighttowardshispost。Whenheperceivedthem，however，whichhedidwhentheywerewithinsomefiftyyardsofhim，hejumpedhastilyup，andorderingGripwithindoors，stoodwithbothhandsonhisstaff，waitinguntilheshouldknowwhethertheywerefriendsorfoes。

Hehadhardlydoneso，whenheobservedthatthosewhoadvancedwereagentlemanandhisservant;almostatthesamemomentherecognisedLordGeorgeGordon，beforewhomhestooduncovered，withhiseyesturnedtowardstheground。

’Goodday！’saidLordGeorge，notreininginhishorseuntilhewasclosebesidehim。’Well！’

’Allquiet，sir，allsafe！’criedBarnaby。’Therestareaway——

theywentbythatpath——thatone。Agrandparty！’

’Ay？’saidLordGeorge，lookingthoughtfullyathim。’Andyou？’

’Oh！Theyleftmeheretowatch——tomountguard——tokeepeverythingsecuretilltheycomeback。I’lldoit，sir，foryoursake。You’reagoodgentleman;akindgentleman——ay，youare。

Therearemanyagainstyou，butwe’llbeamatchforthem，neverfear！’

’What’sthat？’saidLordGeorge——pointingtotheravenwhowaspeepingoutofthestable-door——butstilllookingthoughtfully，andinsomeperplexity，itseemed，atBarnaby。

’Why，don’tyouknow！’retortedBarnaby，withawonderinglaugh。

’NotknowwhatHEis！Abird，tobesure。Mybird——myfriend——

Grip。’

’Adevil，akettle，aGrip，aPolly，aProtestant，noPopery！’

criedtheraven。

’Though，indeed，’addedBarnaby，layinghishandupontheneckofLordGeorge’shorse，andspeakingsoftly:’youhadgoodreasontoaskmewhatheis，forsometimesitpuzzlesme——andIamusedtohim——tothinkhe’sonlyabird。He’smybrother，Gripis——alwayswithme——alwaystalking——alwaysmerry——eh，Grip？’

Theravenansweredbyanaffectionatecroak，andhoppingonhismaster’sarm，whichhehelddownwardforthatpurpose，submittedwithanairofperfectindifferencetobefondled，andturnedhisrestless，curiouseye，nowuponLordGeorge，andnowuponhisman。

LordGeorge，bitinghisnailsinadiscomfitedmanner，regardedBarnabyforsometimeinsilence;thenbeckoningtohisservant，said:

’Comehither，John。’

JohnGruebytouchedhishat，andcame。

’Haveyoueverseenthisyoungmanbefore？’hismasteraskedinalowvoice。

’Twice，mylord，’saidJohn。’IsawhiminthecrowdlastnightandSaturday。’

’Did——diditseemtoyouthathismannerwasatallwildorstrange？’LordGeorgedemanded，faltering。

’Mad，’saidJohn，withemphaticbrevity。

’Andwhydoyouthinkhimmad，sir？’saidhismaster，speakinginapeevishtone。’Don’tusethatwordtoofreely。Whydoyouthinkhimmad？’

’Mylord，’JohnGruebyanswered，’lookathisdress，lookathiseyes，lookathisrestlessway，hearhimcry“NoPopery！“Mad，mylord。’

’Sobecauseonemandressesunlikeanother，’returnedhisangrymaster，glancingathimself;’andhappenstodifferfromothermeninhiscarriageandmanner，andtoadvocateagreatcausewhichthecorruptandirreligiousdesert，heistobeaccountedmad，ishe？’

’Stark，staring，raving，roaringmad，mylord，’returnedtheunmovedJohn。

’Doyousaythistomyface？’criedhismaster，turningsharplyuponhim。

’Toanyman，mylord，whoasksme，’answeredJohn。

’MrGashford，Ifind，wasright，’saidLordGeorge;’Ithoughthimprejudiced，thoughIoughttohaveknownamanlikehimbetterthantohavesupposeditpossible！’

’IshallneverhaveMrGashford’sgoodword，mylord，’repliedJohn，touchinghishatrespectfully，’andIdon’tcovetit。’

’Youareanill-conditioned，mostungratefulfellow，’saidLordGeorge:’aspy，foranythingIknow。MrGashfordisperfectlycorrect，asImighthavefeltconvincedhewas。Ihavedonewrongtoretainyouinmyservice。Itisatacitinsulttohimasmychoiceandconfidentialfriendtodoso，rememberingthecauseyousidedwith，onthedayhewasmalignedatWestminster。Youwillleavemeto-night——nay，assoonaswereachhome。Thesoonerthebetter。’

’Ifitcomestothat，Isaysotoo，mylord。LetMrGashfordhavehiswill。Astomybeingaspy，mylord，youknowmebetterthantobelieveit，Iamsure。Idon’tknowmuchaboutcauses。Mycauseisthecauseofonemanagainsttwohundred;andIhopeitalwayswillbe。’

’Youhavesaidquiteenough，’returnedLordGeorge，motioninghimtogoback。’Idesiretohearnomore。’

’Ifyou’llletmehaveanotherword，mylord，’returnedJohnGrueby，’I’dgivethissillyfellowacautionnottostayherebyhimself。Theproclamationisinagoodmanyhandsalready，andit’swellknownthathewasconcernedinthebusinessitrelatesto。Hehadbettergettoaplaceofsafetyifhecan，poorcreature。’

’Youhearwhatthismansays？’criedLordGeorge，addressingBarnaby，whohadlookedonandwonderedwhilethisdialoguepassed。

’Hethinksyoumaybeafraidtoremainuponyourpost，andarekepthereperhapsagainstyourwill。Whatdoyousay？’

’Ithink，youngman，’saidJohn，inexplanation，’thatthesoldiersmayturnoutandtakeyou;andthatiftheydo，youwillcertainlybehungbythenecktillyou’redead——dead——dead。AndIthinkyouhadbettergofromhere，asfastasyoucan。That’swhatIthink。’

’He’sacoward，Grip，acoward！’criedBarnaby，puttingtheravenontheground，andshoulderinghisstaff。’Letthemcome！Gordonforever！Letthemcome！’

’Ay！’saidLordGeorge，’letthem！Letusseewhowillventuretoattackapowerlikeours;thesolemnleagueofawholepeople。

THISamadman！Youhavesaidwell，verywell。Iamproudtobetheleaderofsuchmenasyou。’

Bamaby’sheartswelledwithinhisbosomasheheardthesewords。

HetookLordGeorge’shandandcarriedittohislips;pattedhishorse’screst，asiftheaffectionandadmirationhehadconceivedforthemanextendedtotheanimalherode;thenunfurlinghisflag，andproudlywavingit，resumedhispacingupanddown。

LordGeorge，withakindlingeyeandglowingcheek，tookoffhishat，andflourishingitabovehishead，badehimexultinglyFarewell！——thencanteredoffatabriskpace;afterglancingangrilyroundtoseethathisservantfollowed。HonestJohnsetspurstohishorseandrodeafterhismaster，butnotbeforehehadagainwarnedBarnabytoretreat，withmanysignificantgestures，whichindeedhecontinuedtomake，andBarnabytoresist，untilthewindingsoftheroadconcealedthemfromeachother’sview。

Lefttohimselfagainwithastillhighersenseoftheimportanceofhispost，andstimulatedtoenthusiasmbythespecialnoticeandencouragementofhisleader，Barnabywalkedtoandfroinadelicioustranceratherthanasawakingman。Thesunshinewhichprevailedaroundwasinhismind。Hehadbutonedesireungratified。Ifshecouldonlyseehimnow！

Thedayworeon;itsheatwasgentlygivingplacetothecoolofevening;alightwindsprungup，fanninghislonghair，andmakingthebannerrustlepleasantlyabovehishead。Therewasafreedomandfreshnessinthesoundandinthetime，whichchimedexactlywithhismood。Hewashappierthanever。

Hewasleaningonhisstafflookingtowardsthedecliningsun，andreflectingwithasmilethathestoodsentinelatthatmomentoverburiedgold，whentwoorthreefiguresappearedinthedistance，makingtowardsthehouseatarapidpace，andmotioningwiththeirhandsasthoughtheyurgeditsinmatestoretreatfromsomeapproachingdanger。Astheydrewnearer，theybecamemoreearnestintheirgestures;andtheywerenosoonerwithinhearing，thantheforemostamongthemcriedthatthesoldierswerecomingup。

Atthesewords，Barnabyfurledhisflag，andtieditroundthepole。Hisheartbeathighwhilehedidso，buthehadnomorefearorthoughtofretreatingthanthepoleitself。Thefriendlystragglershurriedpasthim，aftergivinghimnoticeofhisdanger，andquicklypassedintothehouse，wheretheutmostconfusionimmediatelyprevailed。Asthosewithinhastilyclosedthewindowsandthedoors，theyurgedhimbylooksandsignstoflywithoutlossoftime，andcalledtohimmanytimestodoso;butheonlyshookhisheadindignantlyinanswer，andstoodthefirmeronhispost。Findingthathewasnottobepersuaded，theytookcareofthemselves;andleavingtheplacewithonlyoneoldwomaninit，speedilywithdrew。

Asyettherehadbeennosymptomofthenewshavinganybetterfoundationthaninthefearsofthosewhobroughtit，butTheBoothadnotbeendesertedfiveminutes，whenthereappeared，comingacrossthefields，abodyofmenwho，itwaseasytosee，bytheglitteroftheirarmsandornamentsinthesun，andbytheirorderlyandregularmodeofadvancing——fortheycameonasoneman——weresoldiers。Inaverylittletime，BarnabyknewthattheywereastrongdetachmentoftheFootGuards，havingalongwiththemtwogentlemeninprivateclothes，andasmallpartyofHorse;thelatterbroughtuptherear，andwerenotinnumbermorethansixoreight。

Theyadvancedsteadily;neitherquickeningtheirpaceastheycamenearer，norraisinganycry，norshowingtheleastemotionoranxiety。Thoughthiswasamatterofcourseinthecaseofregulartroops，eventoBarnaby，therewassomethingparticularlyimpressiveanddisconcertinginittooneaccustomedtothenoiseandtumultofanundisciplinedmob。Forallthat，hestoodhisgroundnotawhitthelessresolutely，andlookedonundismayed。

Presently，theymarchedintotheyard，andhalted。Thecommanding-officerdespatchedamessengertothehorsemen，oneofwhomcameridingback。Somewordspassedbetweenthem，andtheyglancedatBarnaby;whowellrememberedthemanhehadunhorsedatWestminster，andsawhimnowbeforehiseyes。Themanbeingspeedilydismissed，saluted，androdebacktohiscomrades，whoweredrawnupapartatashortdistance。

Theofficerthengavethewordtoprimeandload。Theheavyringingofthemusket-stocksupontheground，andthesharpandrapidrattlingoftheramrodsintheirbarrels，wereakindofrelieftoBatnahy，deadlythoughheknewthepurportofsuchsoundstobe。Whenthiswasdone，othercommandsweregiven，andthesoldiersinstantaneouslyformedinsinglefileallroundthehouseandstables;completelyencirclingthemineverypart，atadistance，perhaps，ofsomehalf-dozenyards;atleastthatseemedinBarnaby’seyestobeaboutthespaceleftbetweenhimselfandthosewhoconfrontedhim。Thehorsemenremaineddrawnupbythemselvesasbefore。

Thetwogentlemeninprivateclotheswhohadkeptaloof，nowrodeforward，oneoneithersidetheofficer。Theproclamationhavingbeenproducedandreadbyoneofthem，theofficercalledonBarnabytosurrender。

Hemadenoanswer，butsteppingwithinthedoor，beforewhichhehadkeptguard，heldhispolecrosswisetoprotectit。Inthemidstofaprofoundsilence，hewasagaincalledupontoyield。

Stillheofferednoreply。Indeedhehadenoughtodo，torunhiseyebackwardandforwardalongthehalf-dozenmenwhoimmediatelyfrontedhim，andsettlehurriedlywithinhimselfatwhichofthemhewouldstrikefirst，whentheypressedonhim。Hecaughttheeyeofoneinthecentre，andresolvedtohewthatfellowdown，thoughhediedforit。

Againtherewasadeadsilence，andagainthesamevoicecalleduponhimtodeliverhimselfup。

Nextmomenthewasbackinthestable，dealingblowsabouthimlikeamadman。Twoofthemenlaystretchedathisfeet:theonehehadmarked，droppedfirst——hehadathoughtforthat，eveninthehotbloodandhurryofthestruggle。Anotherblow——another！Down，mastered，woundedinthebreastbyaheavyblowfromthebutt-endofagun(hesawtheweaponintheactoffalling)——breathless——andaprisoner。

Anexclamationofsurprisefromtheofficerrecalledhim，insomedegree，tohimself。Helookedround。Grip，afterworkinginsecretalltheafternoon，andwithredoubledvigourwhileeverybody’sattentionwasdistracted，hadpluckedawaythestrawfromHugh’sbed，andturneduptheloosegroundwithhisironbill。

Theholehadbeenrecklesslyfilledtothebrim，andwasmerelysprinkledwithearth。Goldencups，spoons，candlesticks，coinedguineas——allthericheswererevealed。

Theybroughtspadesandasack;dugupeverythingthatwashiddenthere;andcarriedawaymorethantwomencouldlift。Theyhandcuffedhimandboundhisarms，searchedhim，andtookawayallhehad。Nobodyquestionedorreproachedhim，orseemedtohavemuchcuriosityabouthim。Thetwomenhehadstunned，werecarriedoffbytheircompanionsinthesamebusiness-likewayinwhicheverythingelsewasdone。Finally，hewasleftunderaguardoffoursoldierswithfixedbayonets，whiletheofficerdirectedinpersonthesearchofthehouseandtheotherbuildingsconnectedwithit。

Thiswassooncompleted。Thesoldiersformedagainintheyard;hewasmarchedout，withhisguardabouthim;andorderedtofallin，whereaspacewasleft。Theothersclosedupallround，andsotheymovedaway，withtheprisonerinthecentre。

Whentheycameintothestreets，hefelthewasasight;andlookingupastheypassedquicklyalong，couldseepeoplerunningtothewindowsalittletoolate，andthrowingupthesashestolookafterhim。Sometimeshemetastaringfacebeyondtheheadsabouthim，orunderthearmsofhisconductors，orpeeringdownuponhimfromawaggon-toporcoach-box;butthiswasallhesaw，beingsurroundedbysomanymen。Theverynoisesofthestreetsseemedmuffledandsubdued;andtheaircamestaleandhotuponhim，likethesicklybreathofanoven。

Tramp，tramp。Tramp，tramp。Headserect，shoulderssquare，everymansteppinginexacttime——allsoorderlyandregular——nobodylookingathim——nobodyseemingconsciousofhispresence，——hecouldhardlybelievehewasaPrisoner。Butattheword，thoughonlythought，notspoken，hefeltthehandcuffsgallinghiswrists，thecordpressinghisarmstohissides:theloadedgunslevelledathishead;andthosecold，bright，sharp，shiningpointsturnedtowardshim:themerelookingdownatwhich，nowthathewasboundandhelpless，madethewarmcurrentofhisliferuncold。

Chapter58

Theywerenotlonginreachingthebarracks，fortheofficerwhocommandedthepartywasdesiroustoavoidrousingthepeoplebythedisplayofmilitaryforceinthestreets，andwashumanelyanxioustogiveaslittleopportunityaspossibleforanyattemptatrescue;knowingthatitmustleadtobloodshedandlossoflife，andthatifthecivilauthoritiesbywhomhewasaccompanied，empoweredhimtoorderhismentofire，manyinnocentpersonswouldprobablyfall，whomcuriosityoridlenesshadattractedtothespot。Hethereforeledthepartybrisklyon，avoidingwithamercifulprudencethemorepublicandcrowdedthoroughfares，andpursuingthosewhichhedeemedleastlikelytobeinfestedbydisorderlypersons。Thiswiseproceedingnotonlyenabledthemtogaintheirquarterswithoutanyinterruption，butcompletelybaffledabodyofrioterswhohadassembledinoneofthemainstreets，throughwhichitwasconsideredcertaintheywouldpass，andwhoremainedgatheredtogetherforthepurposeofreleasingtheprisonerfromtheirhands，longaftertheyhaddepositedhiminaplaceofsecurity，closedthebarrack-gates，andsetadoubleguardateveryentranceforitsbetterprotection。

Arrivedatthisplace，poorBarnabywasmarchedintoastone-

flooredroom，wheretherewasaverypowerfulsmelloftobacco，astrongthoroughdraughtofair，andagreatwoodenbedstead，largeenoughforascoreofmen。Severalsoldiersinundresswereloungingabout，oreatingfromtincans;militaryaccoutrementsdangledonrowsofpegsalongthewhitewashedwall;andsomehalf-

dozenmenlayfastasleepupontheirbacks，snoringinconcert。

Afterremainingherejustlongenoughtonotethesethings，hewasmarchedoutagain，andconveyedacrosstheparade-groundtoanotherportionofthebuilding。

Perhapsamanneverseessomuchataglanceaswhenheisinasituationofextremity。Thechancesareahundredtoone，thatifBarnabyhadloungedinatthegatetolookabouthim，hewouldhaveloungedoutagainwithaveryimperfectideaoftheplace，andwouldhaverememberedverylittleaboutit。Butashewastakenhandcuffedacrossthegravelledarea，nothingescapedhisnotice。

Thedry，aridlookofthedustysquare，andofthebarebrickbuilding;theclotheshangingatsomeofthewindows;andthemenintheirshirt-sleevesandbraces，lollingwithhalftheirbodiesoutoftheothers;thegreensun-blindsattheofficers’quarters，andthelittlescantytreesinfront;thedrummer-boyspractisinginadistantcourtyard;themenatdrillontheparade;thetwosoldierscarryingabasketbetweenthem，whowinkedtoeachotherashewentby，andslilypointedtotheirthroats;thespruceserjeantwhohurriedpastwithacaneinhishand，andunderhisarmaclaspedbookwithavellumcover;thefellowsintheground-

floorrooms，furbishingandbrushinguptheirdifferentarticlesofdress，whostoppedtolookathim，andwhosevoicesastheyspoketogetherechoedloudlythroughtheemptygalleriesandpassages;——

everything，downtothestandofmusketsbeforetheguard-house，andthedrumwithapipe-clayedbeltattached，inonecorner，impresseditselfuponhisobservation，asthoughhehadnoticedtheminthesameplaceahundredtimes，orhadbeenawholedayamongthem，inplaceofonebriefhurriedminute。

Hewastakenintoasmallpavedbackyard，andtheretheyopenedagreatdoor，platedwithiron，andpiercedsomefivefeetabovethegroundwithafewholestoletinairandlight。Intothisdungeonhewaswalkedstraightway;andhavinglockedhimupthere，andplacedasentryoverhim，theylefthimtohismeditations。

Thecell，orblackhole，forithadthosewordspaintedonthedoor，wasverydark，andhavingrecentlyaccommodatedadrunkendeserter，bynomeansclean。Barnabyfelthiswaytosomestrawatthefartherend，andlookingtowardsthedoor，triedtoaccustomhimselftothegloom，which，comingfromthebrightsunshineoutofdoors，wasnotaneasytask。

Therewasakindofporticoorcolonnadeoutside，andthisobstructedeventhelittlelightthatatthebestcouldhavefounditswaythroughthesmallaperturesinthedoor。Thefootstepsofthesentinelechoedmonotonouslyashepaceditsstonepavementtoandfro(remindingBarnabyofthewatchhehadsolatelykepthimself);andashepassedandrepassedthedoor，hemadethecellforaninstantsoblackbytheinterpositionofhisbody，thathisgoingawayagainseemedliketheappearanceofanewrayoflight，andwasquiteacircumstancetolookfor。

Whentheprisonerhadsatsometimeupontheground，gazingatthechinks，andlisteningtotheadvancingandrecedingfootstepsofhisguard，themanstoodstilluponhispost。Barnaby，quiteunabletothink，ortospeculateonwhatwouldbedonewithhim，hadbeenlulledintoakindofdozebyhisregularpace;buthisstoppingrousedhim;andthenhebecameawarethattwomenwereinconversationunderthecolonnade，andverynearthedoorofhiscell。

Howlongtheyhadbeentalkingthere，hecouldnottell，forhehadfallenintoanunconsciousnessofhisrealposition，andwhenthefootstepsceased，wasansweringaloudsomequestionwhichseemedtohavebeenputtohimbyHughinthestable，thoughofthefanciedpurport，eitherofquestionorreply，notwithstandingthatheawokewiththelatteronhislips，hehadnorecollectionwhatever。Thefirstwordsthatreachedhisears，werethese:

’Whyishebroughtherethen，ifhehastobetakenawayagainsosoon？’

’Whywherewouldyouhavehimgo！Damme，he’snotassafeanywhereasamongtheking’stroops，ishe？WhatWOULDyoudowithhim？

Wouldyouhandhimovertoapackofcowardlycivilians，thatshakeintheirshoestilltheywearthesolesout，withtremblingatthethreatsoftheragamuffinshebelongsto？’

’That’strueenough。’

’Trueenough！——I’lltellyouwhat。Iwish，TomGreen，thatIwasacommissionedinsteadofanon-commissionedofficer，andthatIhadthecommandoftwocompanies——onlytwocompanies——ofmyownregiment。Callmeouttostoptheseriots——givemetheneedfulauthority，andhalf-a-dozenroundsofballcartridge——’

’Ay！’saidtheothervoice。’That’sallverywell，buttheywon’tgivetheneedfulauthority。Ifthemagistratewon’tgivetheword，what’stheofficertodo？’

Notverywellknowing，asitseemed，howtoovercomethisdifficulty，theothermancontentedhimselfwithdamningthemagistrates。

’Withallmyheart，’saidhisfriend。

’Where’stheuseofamagistrate？’returnedtheothervoice。

’What’samagistrateinthiscase，butanimpertinent，unnecessary，unconstitutionalsortofinterference？Here’saproclamation。

Here’samanreferredtointhatproclamation。Here’sproofagainsthim，andawitnessonthespot。Damme！Takehimoutandshoothim，sir。Whowantsamagistrate？’

’WhendoeshegobeforeSirJohnFielding？’askedthemanwhohadspokenfirst。

’To-nightateighto’clock，’returnedtheother。’Markwhatfollows。ThemagistratecommitshimtoNewgate。OurpeopletakehimtoNewgate。Therioterspeltourpeople。Ourpeopleretirebeforetherioters。Stonesarethrown，insultsareoffered，notashot’sfired。Why？Becauseofthemagistrates。Damnthemagistrates！’

Whenhehadinsomedegreerelievedhismindbycursingthemagistratesinvariousotherformsofspeech，themanwassilent，saveforalowgrowling，stillhavingreferencetothoseauthorities，whichfromtimetotimeescapedhim。

Barnaby，whohadwitenoughtoknowthatthisconversationconcerned，andverynearlyconcerned，himself，remainedperfectlyquietuntiltheyceasedtospeak，whenhegropedhiswaytothedoor，andpeepingthroughtheair-holes，triedtomakeoutwhatkindofmentheywere，towhomhehadbeenlistening。

Theonewhocondemnedthecivilpowerinsuchstrongterms，wasaserjeant——engagedjustthen，asthestreamingribandsinhiscapannounced，ontherecruitingservice。Hestoodleaningsidewaysagainstapillarnearlyoppositethedoor，andashegrowledtohimself，drewfiguresonthepavementwithhiscane。Theothermanhadhisbacktowardsthedungeon，andBarnabycouldonlyseehisform。Tojudgefromthat，hewasagallant，manly，handsomefellow，buthehadlosthisleftarm。Ithadbeentakenoffbetweentheelbowandtheshoulder，andhisemptycoat-sleevehungacrosshisbreast。

Itwasprobablythiscircumstancewhichgavehimaninterestbeyondanythathiscompanioncouldboastof，andattractedBarnaby’sattention。Therewassomethingsoldierlyinhisbearing，andheworeajauntycapandjacket。Perhapshehadbeenintheserviceatonetimeorother。Ifhehad，itcouldnothavebeenverylongago，forhewasbutayoungfellownow。

’Well，well，’hesaidthoughtfully;’letthefaultbewhereitmay，itmakesamansorrowfultocomebacktooldEngland，andseeherinthiscondition。’

’Isupposethepigswilljoin’emnext，’saidtheserjeant，withanimprecationontherioters，’nowthatthebirdshaveset’emtheexample。’

’Thebirds！’repeatedTomGreen。

’Ah——birds，’saidtheserjeanttestily;’that’sEnglish，an’tit？’

’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。’

’Gototheguard-house，andsee。You’llfindabirdthere，that’sgottheircryaspatasanyof’em，andbawls“NoPopery。”likeaman——orlikeadevil，ashesaysheis。Ishouldn’twonder。Thedevil’slooseinLondonsomewhere。DammeifIwouldn’ttwisthisneckround，onthechance，ifIhadMYway。’

Theyoungmanhadtakentwoorthreestepsaway，asiftogoandseethiscreature，whenhewasarrestedbythevoiceofBarnaby。

’It’smine，’hecalledout，halflaughingandhalfweeping——’mypet，myfriendGrip。Hahaha！Don’thurthim，hehasdonenoharm。Itaughthim;it’smyfault。Letmehavehim，ifyouplease。He’stheonlyfriendIhaveleftnow。He’llnotdance，ortalk，orwhistleforyou，Iknow;buthewillforme，becauseheknowsmeandlovesme——thoughyouwouldn’tthinkit——verywell。

Youwouldn’thurtabird，I’msure。You’reabravesoldier，sir，andwouldn’tharmawomanorachild——no，no，norapoorbird，I’mcertain。’

Thislatteradjurationwasaddressedtotheserjeant，whomBarnabyjudgedfromhisredcoattobehighinoffice，andabletosealGrip’sdestinybyaword。Butthatgentleman，inreply，surlilydamnedhimforathiefandrebelashewas，andwithmanydisinterestedimprecationsonhisowneyes，liver，blood，andbody，assuredhimthatifitrestedwithhimtodecide，hewouldputafinalstopperonthebird，andhismastertoo。

’Youtalkboldlytoacagedman，’saidBarnaby，inanger。’IfI

wasontheothersideofthedoorandtherewerenonetopartus，you’dchangeyournote——ay，youmaytossyourhead——youwould！

Killthebird——do。Killanythingyoucan，andsorevengeyourselfonthosewhowiththeirbarehandsuntiedcoulddoasmuchtoyou！’

Havingventedhisdefiance，heflunghimselfintothefurthestcornerofhisprison，andmuttering，’Goodbye，Grip——goodbye，dearoldGrip！’shedtearsforthefirsttimesincehehadbeentakencaptive;andhidhisfaceinthestraw。

Hehadhadsomefancyatfirst，thattheone-armedmanwouldhelphim，orwouldgivehimakindwordinanswer。Hehardlyknewwhy，buthehopedandthoughtso。Theyoungfellowhadstoppedwhenhecalledout，andcheckinghimselfintheveryactofturninground，stoodlisteningtoeverywordhesaid。Perhapshebuilthisfeebletrustonthis;perhapsonhisbeingyoung，andhavingafrankandhonestmanner。Howeverthatmightbe，hebuiltonsand。Theotherwentawaydirectlyhehadfinishedspeaking，andneitheransweredhim，norreturned。Nomatter。Theywereallagainsthimhere:hemighthaveknownasmuch。Goodbye，oldGrip，goodbye！

Aftersometime，theycameandunlockedthedoor，andcalledtohimtocomeout。Herosedirectly，andcomplied，forhewouldnothaveTHEMthinkhewassubduedorfrightened。Hewalkedoutlikeaman，andlookedfromfacetoface。

Noneofthemreturnedhisgazeorseemedtonoticeit。Theymarchedhimbacktotheparadebythewaytheyhadbroughthim，andtheretheyhalted，amongabodyofsoldiers，atleasttwiceasnumerousasthatwhichhadtakenhimprisonerintheafternoon。

Theofficerhehadseenbefore，badehiminafewbriefwordstakenoticethatifheattemptedtoescape，nomatterhowfavourableachancehemightsupposehehad，certainofthemenhadorderstofireuponhim，thatmoment。Theythenclosedroundhimasbefore，andmarchedhimoffagain。

InthesameunbrokenordertheyarrivedatBowStreet，followedandbesetonallsidesbyacrowdwhichwascontinuallyincreasing。

Herehewasplacedbeforeablindgentleman，andaskedifhewishedtosayanything。Nothe。Whathadhegottotellthem？Afteraverylittletalking，whichhewascarelessofandquiteindifferentto，theytoldhimhewastogotoNewgate，andtookhimaway。

Hewentoutintothestreet，sosurroundedandhemmedinoneverysidebysoldiers，thathecouldseenothing;butheknewtherewasagreatcrowdofpeople，bythemurmur;andthattheywerenotfriendlytothesoldiers，wassoonrenderedevidentbytheiryellsandhisses。HowoftenandhoweagerlyhelistenedforthevoiceofHugh！Therewasnotavoiceheknewamongthemall。WasHughaprisonertoo？Wastherenohope！

Astheycamenearerandnearertotheprison，thehootingsofthepeoplegrewmoreviolent;stoneswerethrown;andeverynowandthen，arushwasmadeagainstthesoldiers，whichtheystaggeredunder。Oneofthem，closebeforehim，smartingunderablowuponthetemple，levelledhismusket，buttheofficerstruckitupwardswithhissword，andorderedhimonperilofhislifetodesist。

Thiswasthelastthinghesawwithanydistinctness，fordirectlyafterwardshewastossedabout，andbeatentoandfro，asthoughinatempestuoussea。Butgowherehewould，therewerethesameguardsabouthim。Twiceorthricehewasthrowndown，andsowerethey;buteventhen，hecouldnoteludetheirvigilanceforamoment。Theywereupagain，andhadclosedabouthim，beforehe，withhiswristssotightlybound，couldscrambletohisfeet。

Fencedin，thus，hefelthimselfhoistedtothetopofalowflightofsteps，andthenforamomenthecaughtaglimpseofthefightinginthecrowd，andofafewredcoatssprinkledtogether，hereandthere，strugglingtorejointheirfellows。Nextmoment，everythingwasdarkandgloomy，andhewasstandingintheprisonlobby;thecentreofagroupofmen。

Asmithwasspeedilyinattendance，whoriveteduponhimasetofheavyirons。Stumblingonaswellashecould，beneaththeunusualburdenofthesefetters，hewasconductedtoastrongstonecell，where，fasteningthedoorwithlocks，andbolts，andchains，theylefthim，wellsecured;havingfirst，unseenbyhim，thrustinGrip，who，withhisheaddroopingandhisdeepblackplumesroughandrumpled，appearedtocomprehendandtopartake，hismaster’sfallenfortunes。

Chapter59

ItisnecessaryatthisjuncturetoreturntoHugh，who，having，aswehaveseen，calledtotherioterstodispersefromabouttheWarren，andmeetagainasusual，glidedbackintothedarknessfromwhichhehademerged，andreappearednomorethatnight。

Hepausedinthecopsewhichshelteredhimfromtheobservationofhismadcompanions，andwaitedtoascertainwhethertheydrewoffathisbidding，orstilllingeredandcalledtohimtojointhem。

Somefew，hesaw，wereindisposedtogoawaywithouthim，andmadetowardsthespotwherehestoodconcealedasthoughtheywereabouttofollowinhisfootsteps，andurgehimtocomeback;butthesemen，beingintheirturncalledtobytheirfriends，andintruthnotgreatlycaringtoventureintothedarkpartsofthegrounds，wheretheymightbeeasilysurprisedandtaken，ifanyoftheneighboursorretainersofthefamilywerewatchingthemfromamongthetrees，soonabandonedtheidea，andhastilyassemblingsuchmenastheyfoundoftheirmindatthemoment，straggledoff。

Whenhewassatisfiedthatthegreatmassoftheinsurgentswereimitatingthisexample，andthatthegroundwasrapidlyclearing，heplungedintothethickestportionofthelittlewood;and，crashingthebranchesashewent，madestraighttowardsadistantlight:guidedbythat，andbythesullenglowofthefirebehindhim。

Ashedrewnearerandnearertothetwinklingbeacontowardswhichhebenthiscourse，theredglareofafewtorchesbegantorevealitself，andthevoicesofmenspeakingtogetherinasubduedtonebrokethesilencewhich，saveforadistantshoutingnowandthen，alreadyprevailed。Atlengthheclearedthewood，and，springingacrossaditch，stoodinadarklane，whereasmallbodyofill-

lookingvagabonds，whomhehadlefttheresometwentyminutesbefore，waitedhiscomingwithimpatience。

Theyweregatheredroundanoldpost-chaiseorchariot，drivenbyoneofthemselves，whosatpostilion-wiseuponthenearhorse。Theblindsweredrawnup，andMrTappertitandDenniskeptguardatthetwowindows。Theformerassumedthecommandoftheparty，forhechallengedHughasheadvancedtowardsthem;andwhenhedidso，thosewhowererestingonthegroundaboutthecarriagerosetotheirfeetandclusteredroundhim。

’Well！’saidSimon，inalowvoice;’isallright？’

’Rightenough，’repliedHugh，inthesametone。’They’redispersingnow——hadbegunbeforeIcameaway。’

’Andisthecoastclear？’

’Clearenoughbeforeourmen，Itakeit，’saidHugh。’Therearenotmanywho，knowingoftheirworkoveryonder，willwanttomeddlewith’emto-night——Who’sgotsomedrinkhere？’

Everybodyhadsomeplunderfromthecellar;half-a-dozenflasksandbottleswereoffereddirectly。Heselectedthelargest，andputtingittohismouth，sentthewinegurglingdownhisthroat。

Havingemptiedit，hethrewitdown，andstretchedouthishandforanother，whichheemptiedlikewise，atadraught。Anotherwasgivenhim，andthishehalfemptiedtoo。Reservingwhatremainedtofinishwith，heasked:

’Haveyougotanythingtoeat，anyofyou？I’masravenousasahungrywolf。Whichofyouwasinthelarder——come？’

’Iwas，brother，’saidDennis，pullingoffhishat，andfumblinginthecrown。’There’samatterofcoldvenisonpastysomewhereoranotherhere，ifthat’lldo。’

’Do！’criedHugh，seatinghimselfonthepathway。’Bringitout！

Quick！Showalighthere，andgatherround！Letmesupinstate，mylads！Hahaha！’

Enteringintohisboisteroushumour，fortheyallhaddrunkdeeply，andwereaswildashe，theycrowdedabouthim，whiletwooftheirnumberwhohadtorches，heldthemup，oneoneithersideofhim，thathisbanquetmightnotbedespatchedinthedark。MrDennis，havingbythistimesucceededinextricatingfromhishatagreatmassofpasty，whichhadbeenwedgedinsotightlythatitwasnoteasilygotout，putitbeforehim;andHugh，havingborrowedanotchedandjaggedknifefromoneofthecompany，felltoworkuponitvigorously。

’Ishouldrecommendyoutoswallowalittlefireeveryday，aboutanhouraforedinner，brother，’saidDennis，afterapause。’Itseemstoagreewithyou，andtostimulateyourappetite。’

Hughlookedathim，andattheblackenedfacesbywhichhewassurrounded，and，stoppingforamomenttoflourishhisknifeabovehishead，answeredwitharoaroflaughter。

’Keeporder，there，willyou？’saidSimonTappertit。

’Why，isn’tamanallowedtoregalehimself，noblecaptain，’

retortedhislieutenant，partingthemenwhostoodbetweenthem，withhisknife，thathemightseehim，——’toregalehimselfalittlebitaftersuchworkasmine？Whatahardcaptain！Whatastrictcaptain！Whatatyrannicalcaptain！Hahaha！’

’Iwishoneofyoufellerswouldholdabottletohismouthtokeephimquiet，’saidSimon，’unlessyouwantthemilitarytobedownuponus。’

’Andwhatiftheyaredownuponus！’retortedHugh。’Whocares？

Who’safraid？Let’emcome，Isay，let’emcome。Themore，themerrier。GivemeboldBarnabyatmyside，andwetwowillsettlethemilitary，withouttroublinganyofyou。Barnaby’sthemanforthemilitary。Barnaby’shealth！’

Butasthemajorityofthosepresentwerebynomeansanxiousforasecondengagementthatnight，beingalreadywearyandexhausted，theysidedwithMrTappertit，andpressedhimtomakehastewithhissupper，fortheyhadalreadydelayedtoolong。Knowing，evenintheheightofhisfrenzy，thattheyincurredgreatdangerbylingeringsonearthesceneofthelateoutrages，Hughmadeanendofhismealwithoutmoreremonstrance，andrising，steppeduptoMrTappertit，andsmotehimontheback。

’Nowthen，’hecried，’I’mready。Therearebravebirdsinsidethiscage，eh？Delicatebirds，——tender，loving，littledoves。I

caged’em——Icaged’em——onemorepeep！’

Hethrustthelittlemanasideashespoke，andmountingonthesteps，whichwerehalfletdown，pulleddowntheblindbyforce，andstaredintothechaiselikeanogreintohislarder。

’Hahaha！anddidyouscratch，andpinch，andstruggle，prettymistress？’hecried，ashegraspedalittlehandthatsoughtinvaintofreeitselffromhisgrip:’you，sobright-eyed，andcherry-lipped，anddaintilymade？ButIloveyoubetterforit，mistress。Ay，Ido。Youshouldstabmeandwelcome，sothatitpleasedyou，andyouhadtocuremeafterwards。Ilovetoseeyouproudandscornful。Itmakesyouhandsomerthanever;andwhosohandsomeasyouatanytime，myprettyone！’

’Come！’saidMrTappertit，whohadwaitedduringthisspeechwithconsiderableimpatience。’There’senoughofthat。Comedown。’

ThelittlehandsecondedthisadmonitionbythrustingHugh’sgreatheadawaywithallitsforce，anddrawinguptheblind，amidsthisnoisylaughter，andvowsthathemusthaveanotherlook，forthelastglimpseofthatsweetfacehadprovokedhimpastallbearing。

However，asthesuppressedimpatienceofthepartynowbrokeoutintoopenmurmurs，heabandonedthisdesign，andtakinghisseatuponthebar，contentedhimselfwithtappingatthefrontwindowsofthecarriage，andtryingtostealaglanceinside;MrTappertit，mountingthestepsandhangingonbythedoor，issuedhisdirectionstothedriverwithacommandingvoiceandattitude;therestgotupbehind，orranbythesideofthecarriage，astheycould;some，inimitationofHugh，endeavouredtoseethefacehehadpraisedsohighly，andwereremindedoftheirimpertinencebyhintsfromthecudgelofMrTappertit。Thustheypursuedtheirjourneybycircuitousandwindingroads;preserving，exceptwhentheyhaltedtotakebreath，ortoquarrelaboutthebestwayofreachingLondon，prettygoodorderandtolerablesilence。

Inthemeantime，Dolly——beautiful，bewitching，captivatinglittleDolly——herhairdishevelled，herdresstorn，herdarkeyelasheswetwithtears，herbosomheaving——herface，nowpalewithfear，nowcrimsonedwithindignation——herwholeselfahundredtimesmorebeautifulinthisheightenedaspectthanevershehadbeenbefore——

vainlystrovetocomfortEmmaHaredale，andtoimparttohertheconsolationofwhichshestoodinsomuchneedherself。Thesoldiersweresuretocome;theymustberescued;itwouldbeimpossibletoconveythemthroughthestreetsofLondonwhentheysetthethreatsoftheirguardsatdefiance，andshriekedtothepassengersforhelp。Iftheydidthiswhentheycameintothemorefrequentedways，shewascertain——shewasquitecertain——theymustbereleased。SopoorDollysaid，andsopoorDollytriedtothink;

buttheinvariableconclusionofallsuchargumentswas，thatDollyburstintotears;cried，asshewrungherhands，whatwouldtheydoorthink，orwhowouldcomfortthem，athome，attheGoldenKey;

andsobbedmostpiteously。

MissHaredale，whosefeelingswereusuallyofaquieterkindthanDolly’s，andnotsomuchuponthesurface，wasdreadfullyalarmed，andindeedhadonlyjustrecoveredfromaswoon。Shewasverypale，andthehandwhichDollyheldwasquitecold;butshebadeher，nevertheless，rememberthat，underProvidence，muchmustdependupontheirowndiscretion;thatiftheyremainedquietandlulledthevigilanceoftheruffiansintowhosehandstheyhadfallen，thechancesoftheirbeingabletoprocureassistancewhentheyreachedthetown，wereverymuchincreased;thatunlesssocietywerequiteunhinged，ahotpursuitmustbeimmediatelycommenced;andthatheruncle，shemightbesure，wouldneverrestuntilhehadfoundthemoutandrescuedthem。Butasshesaidtheselatterwords，theideathathehadfalleninageneralmassacreoftheCatholicsthatnight——noverywildorimprobablesuppositionafterwhattheyhadseenandundergone——struckherdumb;and，lostinthehorrorstheyhadwitnessed，andthosetheymightbeyetreservedfor，shesatincapableofthought，orspeech，oroutwardshowofgrief:asrigid，andalmostaswhiteandcold，asmarble。

Oh，howmany，manytimes，inthatlongride，didDollythinkofheroldlover，——poor，fond，slightedJoe！Howmany，manytimes，didsherecallthatnightwhensheranintohisarmsfromtheverymannowprojectinghishatefulgazeintothedarknesswhereshesat，andleeringthroughtheglassinmonstrousadmiration！AndwhenshethoughtofJoe，andwhatabravefellowhewas，andhowhewouldhaverodeboldlyup，anddashedinamongthesevillainsnow，yes，thoughtheyweredoublethenumber——andheresheclenchedherlittlehand，andpressedherfootupontheground——theprideshefeltforamomentinhavingwonhisheart，fadedinaburstoftears，andshesobbedmorebitterlythanever。

Asthenightworeon，andtheyproceededbywayswhichwerequiteunknowntothem——fortheycouldrecognisenoneoftheobjectsofwhichtheysometimescaughtahurriedglimpse——theirfearsincreased;norweretheywithoutgoodfoundation;itwasnotdifficultfortwobeautifulyoungwomentofind，intheirbeingbornetheyknewnotwhitherbyabandofdaringvillainswhoeyedthemassomeamongthesefellowsdid，reasonsfortheworstalarm。

WhentheyatlastenteredLondon，byasuburbwithwhichtheywerewhollyunacquainted，itwaspastmidnight，andthestreetsweredarkandempty。Norwasthistheworst，forthecarriagestoppinginalonelyspot，Hughsuddenlyopenedthedoor，jumpedin，andtookhisseatbetweenthem。

Itwasinvaintheycriedforhelp。Heputhisarmabouttheneckofeach，andsworetostiflethemwithkissesiftheywerenotassilentasthegrave。

’Icomeheretokeepyouquiet，’hesaid，’andthat’sthemeansI

shalltake。Sodon’tbequiet，prettymistresses——makeanoise——

do——andIshalllikeitallthebetter。’

Theywereproceedingatarapidpace，andapparentlywithfewerattendantsthanbefore，thoughitwassodark(thetorchesbeingextinguished)thatthiswasmereconjecture。Theyshrunkfromhistouch，eachintothefarthestcornerofthecarriage;butshrinkasDollywould，hisarmencircledherwaist，andheldherfast。Sheneithercriednorspoke，forterroranddisgustdeprivedherofthepower;butshepluckedathishandasthoughshewoulddieintheefforttodisengageherself;andcrouchingontheground，withherheadavertedandhelddown，repelledhimwithastrengthshewonderedatasmuchashe。Thecarriagestoppedagain。

’Liftthisoneout，’saidHughtothemanwhoopenedthedoor，ashetookMissHaredale’shand，andfelthowheavilyitfell。’She’sfainted。’

’Somuchthebetter，’growledDennis——itwasthatamiablegentleman。’She’squiet。Ialwayslike’emtofaint，unlessthey’reverytenderandcomposed。’

’Canyoutakeherbyyourself？’askedHugh。

’Idon’tknowtillItry。Ioughttobeableto;I’veliftedupagoodmanyinmytime，’saidthehangman。’Upthen！She’snosmallweight，brother;noneoftheseherefinegalsare。Upagain！Nowwehaveher。’

Havingbythistimehoistedtheyoungladyintohisarms，hestaggeredoffwithhisburden。

’Lookye，prettybird，’saidHugh，drawingDollytowardshim。

’RememberwhatItoldyou——akissforeverycry。Scream，ifyouloveme，darling。Screamonce，mistress。Prettymistress，onlyonce，ifyouloveme。’

Thrustinghisfaceawaywithallherforce，andholdingdownherhead，Dollysubmittedtobecarriedoutofthechaise，andborneafterMissHaredaleintoamiserablecottage，whereHugh，afterhugginghertohisbreast，sethergentlydownuponthefloor。

PoorDolly！Dowhatshewould，sheonlylookedthebetterforit，andtemptedthemthemore。Whenhereyesflashedangrily，andherripelipsslightlyparted，togiveherrapidbreathingvent，whocouldresistit？Whensheweptandsobbedasthoughherheartwouldbreak，andbemoanedhermiseriesinthesweetestvoicethateverfelluponalistener’sear，whocouldbeinsensibletothelittlewinningpettishnesswhichnowandthendisplayeditself，eveninthesincerityandearnestnessofhergrief？When，forgetfulforamomentofherself，asshewasnow，shefellonherkneesbesideherfriend，andbentoverher，andlaidhercheektohers，andputherarmsabouther，whatmortaleyescouldhaveavoidedwanderingtothedelicatebodice，thestreaminghair，theneglecteddress，theperfectabandonmentandunconsciousnessofthebloominglittlebeauty？Whocouldlookonandseeherlavishcaressesandendearments，andnotdesiretobeinEmmaHaredale’splace;tobeeitherherorDolly;eitherthehuggingorthehugged？

NotHugh。NotDennis。

’Itellyouwhatitis，youngwomen，’saidMrDennis，’Ian’tmuchofalady’smanmyself，noramIapartyinthepresentbusinessfurtherthanlendingawillinghandtomyfriends:butifIseemuchmoreofthisheresortofthing，Ishallbecomeaprincipalinsteadofaaccessory。Itellyoucandid。’

’Whyhaveyoubroughtushere？’saidEmma。’Arewetobemurdered？’

’Murdered！’criedDennis，sittingdownuponastool，andregardingherwithgreatfavour。’Why，mydear，who’dmurdersichchickabiddiesasyou？Ifyouwastoaskme，now，whetheryouwasbroughtheretobemarried，theremightbesomethinginit。’

AndhereheexchangedagrinwithHugh，whoremovedhiseyesfromDollyforthepurpose。

’No，no，’saidDennis，’there’llbenomurdering，mypets。Nothingofthatsort。Quitethecontrairy。’

’Youareanoldermanthanyourcompanion，sir，’saidEmma，trembling。’Haveyounopityforus？Doyounotconsiderthatwearewomen？’

’Idoindeed，mydear，’retortedDennis。’Itwouldbeveryhardnotto，withtwosuchspecimensaforemyeyes。Haha！Ohyes，I

considerthat。Weallconsiderthat，miss。’

Heshookhisheadwaggishly，leeredatHughagain，andlaughedverymuch，asifhehadsaidanoblething，andratherthoughthewascomingout。

’There’llbenomurdering，mydear。Notabitonit。Itellyouwhatthough，brother，’saidDennis，cockinghishatfortheconvenienceofscratchinghishead，andlookinggravelyatHugh，’it’sworthyofnotice，asaproofoftheamazingequalnessanddignityofourlaw，thatitdon’tmakenodistinctionbetweenmenandwomen。I’veheerdthejudgesay，sometimes，toahighwaymanorhousebreakerashadtiedtheladiesneckandheels——you’llexcusememakingmentionofit，mydarlings——andput’eminacellar，thatheshowednoconsiderationtowomen。Now，Isaythattherejudgedidn’tknowhisbusiness，brother;andthatifIhadbeenthattherehighwaymanorhousebreaker，Ishouldhavemadeanswer:“Whatareyouatalkingof，mylord？Ishowedthewomenasmuchconsiderationasthelawdoes，andwhatmorewouldyouhavemedo？”

Ifyouwastocountupinthenewspapersthenumberoffemalesashavebeenworkedoffinthisherecityalone，inthelasttenyear，’saidMrDennisthoughtfully，’you’dbesurprisedatthetotal——quiteamazed，youwould。There’sadignifiedandequalthing;abeautifulthing！Butwe’venosecurityforitslasting。

Nowthatthey’vebeguntofavourtheseherePapists，Ishouldn’twonderiftheywentandalteredevenTHAT，oneofthesedays。Uponmysoul，Ishouldn’t。’

Thesubject，perhapsfrombeingoftooexclusiveandprofessionalanature，failedtointerestHughasmuchashisfriendhadanticipated。Buthehadnotimetopursueit，foratthiscrisisMrTappertitenteredprecipitately;atsightofwhomDollyutteredascreamofjoy，andfairlythrewherselfintohisarms。

’Iknewit，Iwassureofit！’criedDolly。’Mydearfather’satthedoor。ThankGod，thankGod！Blessyou，Sim。Heavenblessyouforthis！’

SimonTappertit，whohadatfirstimplicitlybelievedthatthelocksmith’sdaughter，unableanylongertosuppresshersecretpassionforhimself，wasabouttogiveitfullventinitsintensity，andtodeclarethatshewashisforever，lookedextremelyfoolishwhenshesaidthesewords;——themoreso，astheywerereceivedbyHughandDenniswithaloudlaugh，whichmadeherdrawback，andregardhimwithafixedandearnestlook。

’MissHaredale，’saidSim，afteraveryawkwardsilence，’Ihopeyou’reascomfortableascircumstanceswillpermitof。DollyVarden，mydarling——myown，mylovelyone——IhopeYOU’REprettycomfortablelikewise。’

PoorlittleDolly！Shesawhowitwas;hidherfaceinherhands;

andsobbedmorebitterlythanever。

’Youmeetinme，MissV。，’saidSimon，layinghishanduponhisbreast，’nota’prentice，notaworkman，notaslave，notthewictimofyourfather’styrannicalbehaviour，buttheleaderofagreatpeople，thecaptainofanobleband，inwhichthesegentlemenare，asImaysay，corporalsandserjeants。Youbeholdinme，notaprivateindividual，butapubliccharacter;notamenderoflocks，butahealerofthewoundsofhisunhappycountry。DollyV。，sweetDollyV。，forhowmanyyearshaveIlookedforwardtothispresentmeeting！Forhowmanyyearshasitbeenmyintentiontoexaltandennobleyou！Iredeemit。Beholdinme，yourhusband。Yes，beautifulDolly——charmer——enslaver——S。Tappertitisallyourown！’

Ashesaidthesewordsheadvancedtowardsher。Dollyretreatedtillshecouldgonofarther，andthensankdownuponthefloor。

Thinkingitverypossiblethatthismightbemaidenmodesty，Simonessayedtoraiseher;onwhichDolly，goadedtodesperation，woundherhandsinhishair，andcryingoutamidsthertearsthathewasadreadfullittlewretch，andalwayshadbeen，shook，andpulled，andbeathim，untilhewasfaintocallforhelp，mostlustily。

Hughhadneveradmiredherhalfsomuchasatthatmoment。

’She’sinanexcitedstateto-night，’saidSimon，ashesmoothedhisrumpledfeathers，’anddon’tknowwhenshe’swelloff。Letherbebyherselftillto-morrow，andthat’llbringherdownalittle。

Carryherintothenexthouse！’

Hughhadherinhisarmsdirectly。ItmightbethatMrTappertit’sheartwasreallysoftenedbyherdistress，oritmightbethathefeltitinsomedegreeindecorousthathisintendedbrideshouldbestrugglinginthegraspofanotherman。Hecommandedhim，onsecondthoughts，toputherdownagain，andlookedmoodilyonassheflewtoMissHaredale’sside，andclingingtoherdress，hidherflushedfaceinitsfolds。

’Theyshallremainheretogethertillto-morrow，’saidSimon，whohadnowquiterecoveredhisdignity——’tillto-morrow。Comeaway！’

’Ay！’criedHugh。’Comeaway，captain。Hahaha！’

’Whatareyoulaughingat？’demandedSimonsternly。

’Nothing，captain，nothing，’Hughrejoined;andashespoke，andclappedhishandupontheshoulderofthelittleman，helaughedagain，forsomeunknownreason，withtenfoldviolence。

MrTappertitsurveyedhimfromheadtofootwithloftyscorn(thisonlymadehimlaughthemore)，andturningtotheprisoners，said:

’You’lltakenotice，ladies，thatthisplaceiswellwatchedoneveryside，andthattheleastnoiseiscertaintobeattendedwithunpleasantconsequences。You’llhear——bothofyou——moreofourintentionsto-morrow。Inthemeantime，don’tshowyourselvesatthewindow，orappealtoanyofthepeopleyoumayseepassit;forifyoudo，it’llbeknowndirectlythatyoucomefromaCatholichouse，andalltheexertionsourmencanmake，maynotbeabletosaveyourlives。’

Withthislastcaution，whichwastrueenough，heturnedtothedoor，followedbyHughandDennis。Theypausedforamoment，goingout，tolookatthemclaspedineachother’sarms，andthenleftthecottage;fasteningthedoor，andsettingagoodwatchuponit，andindeedallroundthehouse。

’Isay，’growledDennis，astheywalkedawayincompany，’that’sadaintypair。MusterGashford’soneisashandsomeastheother，eh？’

’Hush！’saidHugh，hastily。’Don’tyoumentionnames。It’sabadhabit。’

’Iwouldn’tliketobeHIM，then(asyoudon’tlikenames)，whenhebreaksitouttoher;that’sall，’saidDennis。’She’soneofthemfine，black-eyed，proudgals，asIwouldn’ttrustatsuchtimeswithaknifetoonear’em。I’veseensomeofthatsort，aforenow。

Irecollectonethatwasworkedoff，manyyearago——andtherewasagentlemaninthatcasetoo——thatsaystome，withherlipatrembling，butherhandassteadyaseverIseeone:“Dennis，I’mnearmyend，butifIhadadaggerinthesefingers，andhewaswithinmyreach，I’dstrikehimdeadaforeme;“——ah，shedid——andshe’dhavedoneittoo！’

Strikewhodead？’demandedHugh。

’HowshouldIknow，brother？’answeredDennis。’SHEneversaid;

notshe。’

Hughlooked，foramoment，asthoughhewouldhavemadesomefurtherinquiryintothisincoherentrecollection;butSimonTappertit，whohadbeenmeditatingdeeply，gavehisthoughtsanewdirection。

’Hugh！’saidSim。’Youhavedonewellto-day。Youshallberewarded。Sohaveyou，Dennis——There’snoyoungwomanYOUwanttocarryoff，isthere？’

’N——no，’returnedthatgentleman，strokinghisgrizzlybeard，whichwassometwoincheslong。’Noneinpartickler，Ithink。’

’Verygood，’saidSim;’thenwe’llfindsomeotherwayofmakingituptoyou。Astoyou，oldboy’——heturnedtoHugh——’youshallhaveMiggs(herthatIpromisedyou，youknow)withinthreedays。Mind。

Ipassmywordforit。’

Hughthankedhimheartily;andashedidso，hislaughingfitreturnedwithsuchviolencethathewasobligedtoholdhissidewithonehand，andtoleanwiththeotherontheshoulderofhissmallcaptain，withoutwhosesupporthewouldcertainlyhaverolledupontheground。

Chapter60

ThethreeworthiesturnedtheirfacestowardsTheBoot，withtheintentionofpassingthenightinthatplaceofrendezvous，andofseekingthereposetheysomuchneededintheshelteroftheiroldden;fornowthatthemischiefanddestructiontheyhadpurposedwereachieved，andtheirprisonersweresafelybestowedforthenight，theybegantobeconsciousofexhaustion，andtofeelthewastingeffectsofthemadnesswhichhadledtosuchdeplorableresults。

Notwithstandingthelassitudeandfatiguewhichoppressedhimnow，incommonwithhistwocompanions，andindeedwithallwhohadtakenanactiveshareinthatnight’swork，Hugh’sboisterousmerrimentbrokeoutafreshwheneverhelookedatSimonTappertit，andventeditself——muchtothatgentleman’sindignation——insuchshoutsoflaughterasbadefairtobringthewatchuponthem，andinvolvetheminaskirmish，towhichintheirpresentworn-outconditiontheymightprovebynomeansequal。EvenMrDennis，whowasnotatallparticularonthescoreofgravityordignity，andwhohadagreatrelishforhisyoungfriend’seccentrichumours，tookoccasiontoremonstratewithhimonthisimprudentbehaviour，whichheheldtobeaspeciesofsuicide，tantamounttoaman’sworkinghimselfoffwithoutbeingovertakenbythelaw，thanwhichhecouldimaginenothingmoreridiculousorimpertinent。

Notabatingonejotofhisnoisymirthfortheseremonstrances，Hughreeledalongbetweenthem，havinganarmofeach，untiltheyhoveinsightofTheBoot，andwerewithinafieldortwoofthatconvenienttavern。Hehappenedbygreatgoodlucktohaveroaredandshoutedhimselfintosilencebythistime。Theywereproceedingonwardwithoutnoise，whenascoutwhohadbeencreepingabouttheditchesallnight，towarnanystragglersfromencroachingfurtheronwhatwasnowsuchdangerousground，peepedcautiouslyfromhishiding-place，andcalledtothemtostop。

’Stop！andwhy？’saidHugh。

Because(thescoutreplied)thehousewasfilledwithconstablesandsoldiers;havingbeensurprisedthatafternoon。Theinmateshadfledorbeentakenintocustody，hecouldnotsaywhich。Hehadpreventedagreatmanypeoplefromapproachingnearer，andhebelievedtheyhadgonetothemarketsandsuchplacestopassthenight。Hehadseenthedistantfires，buttheywerealloutnow。

Hehadheardthepeoplewhopassedandrepassed，speakingofthemtoo，andcouldreportthattheprevailingopinionwasoneofapprehensionanddismay。HehadnotheardawordofBarnaby——

didn’tevenknowhisname——butithadbeensaidinhishearingthatsomemanhadbeentakenandcarriedofftoNewgate。Whetherthiswastrueorfalse，hecouldnotaffirm。

Thethreetookcounseltogether，onhearingthis，anddebatedwhatitmightbebesttodo。Hugh，deemingitpossiblethatBarnabywasinthehandsofthesoldiers，andatthatmomentunderdetentionatTheBoot，wasforadvancingstealthily，andfiringthehouse;buthiscompanions，whoobjectedtosuchrashmeasuresunlesstheyhadacrowdattheirbacks，representedthatifBarnabyweretakenhehadassuredlybeenremovedtoastrongerprison;theywouldneverhavedreamedofkeepinghimallnightinaplacesoweakandopentoattack。Yieldingtothisreasoning，andtotheirpersuasions，HughconsentedtoturnbackandtorepairtoFleetMarket;forwhichplace，itseemed，afewoftheirboldestassociateshadshapedtheircourse，onreceivingthesameintelligence。

Feelingtheirstrengthrecruitedandtheirspiritsroused，nowthattherewasanewnecessityforaction，theyhurriedaway，quiteforgetfulofthefatigueunderwhichtheyhadbeensinkingbutafewminutesbefore;andsoonarrivedattheirnewplaceofdestination。

FleetMarket，atthattime，wasalongirregularrowofwoodenshedsandpenthouses，occupyingthecentreofwhatisnowcalledFarringdonStreet。Theywerejumbledtogetherinamostunsightlyfashion，inthemiddleoftheroad;tothegreatobstructionofthethoroughfareandtheannoyanceofpassengers，whowerefaintomaketheirway，astheybestcould，amongcarts，baskets，barrows，trucks，casks，bulks，andbenches，andtojostlewithporters，hucksters，waggoners，andamotleycrowdofbuyers，sellers，pick-

pockets，vagrants，andidlers。Theairwasperfumedwiththestenchofrottenleavesandfadedfruit;therefuseofthebutchers’stalls，andoffalandgarbageofahundredkinds。Itwasindispensabletomostpublicconveniencesinthosedays，thattheyshouldbepublicnuisanceslikewise;andFleetMarketmaintainedtheprincipletoadmiration。

Tothisplace，perhapsbecauseitsshedsandbasketswereatolerablesubstituteforbeds，orperhapsbecauseitaffordedthemeansofahastybarricadeincaseofneed，manyoftheriotershadstraggled，notonlythatnight，butfortwoorthreenightsbefore。

Itwasnowbroadday，butthemorningbeingcold，agroupofthemweregatheredroundafireinapublic-house，drinkinghotpurl，andsmokingpipes，andplanningnewschemesforto-morrow。

Hughandhistwofriendsbeingknowntomostofthesemen，werereceivedwithsignalmarksofapprobation，andinductedintothemosthonourableseats。Theroom-doorwasclosedandfastenedtokeepintrudersatadistance，andthentheyproceededtoexchangenews。

’ThesoldiershavetakenpossessionofTheBoot，Ihear，’saidHugh。’Whoknowsanythingaboutit？’

Severalcriedthattheydid;butthemajorityofthecompanyhavingbeenengagedintheassaultupontheWarren，andallpresenthavingbeenconcernedinoneorotherofthenight’sexpeditions，itprovedthattheyknewnomorethanHughhimself;

havingbeenmerelywarnedbyeachother，orbythescout，andknowingnothingoftheirownknowledge。

’Weleftamanonguardthereto-day，’saidHugh，lookingroundhim，’whoisnothere。Youknowwhoitis——Barnaby，whobroughtthesoldierdown，atWestminster。Hasanymanseenorheardofhim？’

Theyshooktheirheads，andmurmuredananswerinthenegative，aseachmanlookedroundandappealedtohisfellow;whenanoisewasheardwithout，andamanwasheardtosaythathewantedHugh——thathemustseeHugh。

’Heisbutoneman，’criedHughtothosewhokeptthedoor;’lethimcomein。’

’Ay，ay！’mutteredtheothers。’Lethimcomein。Lethimcomein。’

Thedoorwasaccordinglyunlockedandopened。Aone-armedman，withhisheadandfacetiedupwithabloodycloth，asthoughhehadbeenseverelybeaten，hisclothestorn，andhisremaininghandgraspingathickstick，rushedinamongthem，andpantingforbreath，demandedwhichwasHugh。

’Hereheis，’repliedthepersonheinquiredfor。’IamHugh。

Whatdoyouwantwithme？’

’Ihaveamessageforyou，’saidtheman。’YouknowoneBarnaby。’

’Whatofhim？Didhesendthemessage？’

’Yes。He’staken。He’sinoneofthestrongcellsinNewgate。Hedefendedhimselfaswellashecould，butwasoverpoweredbynumbers。That’shismessage。’

’Whendidyouseehim？’askedHugh，hastily。

’Onhiswaytoprison，wherehewastakenbyapartyofsoldiers。

Theytookaby-road，andnottheoneweexpected。Iwasoneofthefewwhotriedtorescuehim，andhecalledtome，andtoldmetotellHughwherehewas。Wemadeagoodstruggle，thoughitfailed。Lookhere！’

Hepointedtohisdressandtohisbandagedhead，andstillpantingforbreath，glancedroundtheroom;thenfacedtowardsHughagain。

’Iknowyoubysight，’hesaid，’forIwasinthecrowdonFriday，andonSaturday，andyesterday，butIdidn’tknowyourname。

You’reaboldfellow，Iknow。Soishe。Hefoughtlikealiontonight，butitwasofnouse。Ididmybest，consideringthatI

wantthislimb。’

Againheglancedinquisitivelyroundtheroomorseemedtodoso，forhisfacewasnearlyhiddenbythebandage——andagainfacingsharplytowardsHugh，graspedhisstickasifhehalfexpectedtobesetupon，andstoodonthedefensive。

Ifhehadanysuchapprehension，however，hewasspeedilyreassuredbythedemeanourofallpresent。Nonethoughtofthebearerofthetidings。Hewaslostinthenewshebrought。Oaths，threats，andexecrations，wereventedonallsides。Somecriedthatiftheyborethistamely，anotherdaywouldseethemallinjail;some，thattheyshouldhaverescuedtheotherprisoners，andthiswouldnothavehappened。Onemancriedinaloudvoice，’Who’llfollowmetoNewgate！’andtherewasaloudshoutandgeneralrushtowardsthedoor。

ButHughandDennisstoodwiththeirbacksagainstit，andkeptthemback，untiltheclamourhadsofarsubsidedthattheirvoicescouldbeheard，whentheycalledtothemtogetherthattogonow，inbroadday，wouldbemadness;andthatiftheywaiteduntilnightandarrangedaplanofattack，theymightrelease，notonlytheirowncompanions，butalltheprisoners，andburndownthejail。

’Notthatjailalone，’criedHugh，’buteveryjailinLondon。Theyshallhavenoplacetoputtheirprisonersin。We’llburnthemalldown;makebonfiresofthemeveryone！Here！’hecried，catchingatthehangman’shand。’Letallwho’remenhere，joinwithus。

Shakehandsuponit。Barnabyoutofjail，andnotajailleftstanding！Whojoins？’

Everymanthere。AndtheysworeagreatoathtoreleasetheirfriendsfromNewgatenextnight;toforcethedoorsandburnthejail;orperishinthefirethemselves。