 Chapter 49 of Barnaby Rudge, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens, Chapter 49. The mob had been divided from its first assemblage into four divisions, the London, the Westminster, the Southark, and the Scotch. Each of these divisions being subdivided into various bodies, and these bodies being drawn up in various forms and figures, the general arrangement was, except to the few chiefs and leaders, as unintelligible as the plan of a great battle to the meanest soldier in the field. It was not without its method, however. For, in a very short space of time after being put in motion, the crowd had resolved itself into three great parties and were prepared, as had been arranged, to cross the river by different bridges and to make for the House of Commons in separate detachments. At the head of that division, which had Westminster Bridge for its approach to the scene of action, Lord George Gordon took his post, with Gashford at his right hand and Sundry Ruffians of most unpromising appearance, forming a kind of staff about him. The conduct of a second party, whose route, laid by Black Friars, was entrusted to a committee of management, including perhaps a dozen men, while the third, which was to go by London Bridge and through the main streets in order that their numbers and their serious intentions might be the better known and appreciated by the citizens, were led by Simon Tappertit, assisted by a few subalterns, selected from the Brotherhood of United Bulldogs, Dennis the Hangman, Hugh, and some others. The word of command being given, each of these great bodies took the road assigned to it and departed on its way in perfect order and profound silence. That which went through the city greatly exceeded the others in number and was of such prodigious extent that when the rear began to move, the front was nearly four miles in advance, notwithstanding that the men marched three abreast and followed very close upon each other. At the head of this party, in the place where Hugh in the madness of his humor had stationed him, and walking between that dangerous companion and the Hangman, went Barnaby. As many a man among the thousands who looked on that day afterwards remembered well. Forgetful of all other things in the ecstasy of the moment, his face flushed in his eyes sparkling with delight, heedless of the weight of the great banner he carried, and mindful only of its flashing in the sun and rustling in the summer breeze. On he went, proud, happy, elated past all telling, the only light-hearted, undesigning creature in the whole assembly. What do you think of this? Asked Hugh as they passed through the crowded streets and looked up at the windows which were thronged with spectators. They have all turned out to see our flags and streamers. Hey, Barnaby? But Barnaby's the greatest man of all the pack. His flag's the largest of the lot, the brightest too. There's nothing in the show like Barnaby. All eyes are turned on him. Ha ha ha. Don't make that din, brother, growled the Hangman, glancing with no very approving eyes at Barnaby as he spoke. I hope he don't think there's nothing to be done, but carrying that there piece of blue rag, like a boy at a breaking-up. You're ready for action, I hope, eh? You, I mean, he added, nudging Barnaby roughly with his elbow. What are you staring at? Why don't you speak? Barnaby had been gazing at his flag and looked vacantly from his questioner to Hugh. He don't understand your way, said the latter. Here, I'll explain it to him. Barnaby, old boy, attend me. I'll attend, said Barnaby, looking anxiously round. But I wish I could see her somewhere. See who? demanded Dennis in a gruff tone. You ain't in love, I hope, brother. That ain't the sort of thing for us, you know. We mustn't have no love here. She would be proud indeed to see me now. Eh, Hugh, said Barnaby. Wouldn't it make her glad to see me at the head of this large show? She'd cry for joy. I know she would. Where can she be? She never sees me at my best. What do I care to be gay and fine if she's not bi? Why, what pull-avers this? asked Mr. Dennis with supreme disdain. We ain't got no sentimental members among us, I hope. Don't be uneasy, brother, cried Hugh. He's only talking of his mother. Of his what? said Mr. Dennis with a strong oath. His mother. And have I combined myself with this here section and turned out on this here memorable day to hear men talk about their mothers? growled Mr. Dennis with extreme disgust. The notion of a man's sweethearts bad enough but a man's mother? And here his disgust was so extreme that he spat upon the ground and could say no more. Barnaby's right, cried Hugh with a grin, and I say it. Looky, bold lad, if she's not here to see, it's because I've provided for her and sent half a dozen gentlemen, every one of them with a blue flag, but not half as fine as yours, to take her in-state to a grand house all hung round with gold and silver banners and everything else you please, whereas she'll wait till you come and want for nothing. Hey! said Barnaby, his face beaming with delight. Have you indeed? That's a good hearing, that's fine, kind Hugh. But nothing to what will come, bless you retarded Hugh with a wink at Dennis, who regarded his new companion in arms with great astonishment. No indeed, cried Barnaby. Nothing at all, said Hugh. Money, cocked hats and feathers, red coats and gold lace. All the fine things there are ever were or will be will belong to us if we are true to that noble gentleman, the best man in the world. Carry our flags for a few days and keep them safe. That's all we've got to do. Is that all? cried Barnaby with glistening eyes as he clutched his pole the tighter. I warrant you, I keep this one safe then. You have put it in good hands. You know me, Hugh, nobody shall rest this flag away. Well said, cried Hugh. Haha, nobly said. That's the old stout Barnaby that I have climbed and leaped with many and many a day. I knew I was not mistaken in Barnaby. Don't you see, man, he added in a whisper as he slipped to the other side of Dennis that the lad's a natural and can be got to do anything if you take him the right way. Letting alone the funny is, he's worth a dozen men in earnest as you'd find if you try to fall with him. Leave him to me, you shall soon see whether he's abuse or not. Dennis received these explanatory remarks with many nods and winks and softened his behavior towards Barnaby from that moment. Hugh, laying his finger on his nose, stepped back into his former place and they proceeded in silence. It was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon when the three great parties met at Westminster and, uniting into one huge mass, raised a tremendous shout. This was not only done in token of their presence, but as a signal to those on whom the task involved, that it was time to take possession of the lobbies of both houses and of the various avenues of approach and of the gallery stairs. To the last named place, Hugh and Dennis, still with their pupil between them, rushed straight way. Barnaby, having given his flag into the hands of one of their own party who kept them at the outer door. Their followers pressing on behind, they were born as on a great wave to the very doors of the gallery once it was impossible to retreat even if they had been so inclined by reason of the throng which choked up the passages. It is a familiar expression in describing a great crowd that a person might have walked upon the people's heads. In this case, it was actually done for a boy who had by some means got among the concourse and was in imminent danger of suffocation, climbed to the shoulders of a man beside him and walked upon the people's hats and heads into the open street, traversing in his passage the whole length of two staircases nor was the swarm without less dense. For a basket which had been tossed into the crowd was jerked from head to head and shoulder to shoulder and went spinning and whirling on above them until it was lost to view without ever once falling in among them or coming near the ground. Through this vast throng sprinkled doubtless here and there with honest zealots but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuse of London whose growth was fostered by bad criminal laws, and regulations, and the worst conceivable police such of the members of both houses of parliament as had not taken the precaution to be already at their posts were compelled to fight and force their way. Their carriages were stopped and broken the wheels wrenched off the glasses shivered to Adams the panels beaten in drivers, footmen, and masters pulled from their seats and rolled in the mud. Lords, commoners, and reverend bishops with little distinction of person or party were kicked and pinched and hustled passed from hand to hand through various stages of ill usage and sent to their fellow senators at last with their clothes hanging and ribbons around them their bagwigs torn off themselves speechless and breathless and their persons covered with the powder which had been cuffed and beaten out of their hair. One lord was so long in the hands of the populace that the peers as a body resolved to sally forth and rescue him and were in the act of doing so when he happily appeared among them covered with dirt and bruises and hardly to be recognized by those who knew him best. The noise and uproar were on the increase every moment the air was filled with execrations, hoots, and howlings the mob raged and roared like a mad monster as it was unceasingly and each new outrage served to swell its fury. Within doors, matters were even yet more threatening Lord George preceded by a man who carried the immense petition a porter's knot through the lobby to the door of the House of Commons where it was received by two officers of the House who rolled it up to the table ready for presentation had taken his seat at an early hour before the speaker went to prayers. His followers pouring in at the same time the lobby and all the avenues were immediately filled as we have seen. Thus the members were not only attacked in their passage through the streets but were set upon within the very walls of Parliament while the tumult both within and without was so great that those who attempted to speak could scarcely hear their own voices. Far less consult upon the course it would be wise to take in such extremity or animate each other to dignified and firm resistance. So sure as any member just arrived with dressed disordered and disheveled hair came struggling through the crowd in the lobby it yelled and screamed in triumph and when the door of the House partially and cautiously opened by those within for his admission gave them a momentary glimpse of the interior they grew more wild and savage like beasts at the sight of prey and made a rush against the portal which strained its locks and bolts in their staples and shook the very beams. The stranger's gallery which was immediately above the door of the House had been ordered to be closed on the first rumor of disturbance and was empty save that now and then Lord George took his seat there for the convenience of coming to the head of the stairs which led to it and repeating to the people what had passed within. It was on these stairs that Barnaby, Hugh, and Dennis were posted. There were two flights short steep and narrow running parallel to each other and leading to two little doors communicating with a low passage which opened on the gallery between them was a kind of well or unglazed skylight for the admission of light and air into the lobby which might be some 18 or 20 feet below. Upon one of these little staircases not that at the head of which Lord George appeared from time to time but the other, Gasford stood with his elbow on the banister and his cheek resting on his hand with his usual crafty aspect. Whenever he varied this attitude in the slightest degree so much as by the gentlest motion of his arm the uproar was certain to increase not merely there but in the lobby below from which placed no doubt some man who acted as fugulman to the rest was constantly looking up and watching him. Order! cried Hugh in a voice which made itself heard even above the roar and tumult as Lord George appeared at the top of the staircase news news from my lord the noise continued notwithstanding his appearance until Gasford looked round there was silence immediately even among the people in the passages without and on the other staircases who could neither see nor hear but to whom notwithstanding the signal was conveyed with marvelous rapidity gentlemen said Lord George who was very pale and agitated we must be firm they talk of delays but we must have no delays they talk of taking our petition into consideration next Tuesday but we must have it considered now present appearances look bad for our success but we must succeed and will we must succeed and will echoed the crowd and so among their shouts and cheers and other cries he bowed to them and retired and presently came back again there was another gesture from Gasford into dead silence directly I am afraid he said this time that we have little reason gentlemen to hope for any redress from the proceedings of parliament but we must redress our own grievances we must meet again we must put our trust in providence and it will bless our endeavors this speech being a little more temperate but I am afraid that the last was not so favorably received when the noise and exasperation were at their height he came back once more and told them that the alarm had gone forth for many miles round that when the king heard of their assembling together in that great body he had no doubt his majesty would send down private orders to have their wishes complied with and with the manner of his speech as childish, irresolute and uncertain as his matter was proceeding in this strain he suddenly appeared at the door where he stood and pressing past him and coming a step or two lower down upon the stairs confronted the people the boldness of this action quite took them by surprise they were not the less disconcerted when one of the gentlemen turning to lord George spoke thus in a loud voice that they might hear him well but quite coolly and collectively you may tell these people if you please my lord that I am general Conway of whom they have heard that I oppose this petition and all their proceedings and yours I am a soldier you may tell them and I will protect the freedom of this place with my sword you see my lord that the members of this house are all in arms today you know that the entrance to it is a narrow one you cannot be ignorant that there are men within these walls who are determined to defend that past to the last and before whom many lives must fall if your adherents persevere have a care what you do and my lord George said the other gentlemen addressing him in like manner I desire them to hear this from me Colonel Gordon your near relation if a man among this crowd whose uproar strikes us deaf crosses the threshold of the house of commons I swear to run my sword that moment not into his but into your body with that they stepped back again keeping their faces towards the crowd took each in arm of the misguided nobleman drew him into the passage and shut the door which they directly locked and fastened on the inside this was so quickly done and the demeanor of both gentlemen who were not young men either was so gallant and resolute that the crowd faltered and stared at each other with their resolute and timid looks many tried to turn towards the door some of the faintest hearted cried they had best go back and called to those behind to give way and the panic and confusion were increasing rapidly when Gashford whispered Hugh what now Hugh roared aloud turning towards them why go back where can you do better than here boys one good rush against these doors and one below at the same time will do the business rush on then as to the door below let those stand back who are afraid let those who are not afraid try who shall be the first to pass it here goes look out down there without the delay of an instant he threw himself headlong over the banisters into the lobby below he had hardly touched the ground when Barnaby was at his side the chaplain's assistant and some members who were imploring the people to retire immediately with through and then with a great shout both crowds threw themselves against the doors palmel and besieged the house in earnest at that moment when a second onset must have brought them into collision with those who stood on the defensive within in which case great loss of life and bloodshed would inevitably ensued the hindmost portion of the crowd gave way and the rumor spread from mouth to mouth that a messenger had been dispatched by water for the military who were forming in the street fearful of sustaining a charge in the narrow passages in which there were so closely wedged together the throng poured out as impetuously as they had flocked in as the whole stream turned at once Barnaby and Hugh went with it and so fighting and struggling and trampling on fallen men and being trampled on and turned themselves they and the whole mass floated by degrees into the open street where a large detachment of the guards both horse and foot came hurrying up clearing the ground before them so rapidly that the people seemed to melt away as they advanced the word of command to halt being given the soldiers formed across the street the rioters breathless and exhausted with their late exertions formed likewise though in a very irregular and disorderly manner the commanding officer rode hastily into the open space between the two bodies accompanied by a magistrate and an officer of the house of commons for whose accommodation a couple of troopers had hastily dismounted the riot act was red but not a man stirred in the first rank of the insurgents Barnaby and Hugh stood side by side somebody had thrust into Barnaby's hands when he came out into the street his precious flag which being now rolled up and tied around the pole looked like a giant quarter staff as he grasped it firmly and stood upon his guard if ever man believed with his whole heart and soul that he was engaged in a just cause and that he was bound to stand by his leader to the last poor Barnaby believed it of himself and Lord George Gordon after an ineffectual attempt to make himself heard the magistrate gave the word and the horse guards came riding in among the crowd but even then he galloped here and there they were able to disperse and although heavy stones were thrown at the men and some were desperately cut and bruised they had no orders but to make prisoners of such of the rioters as were the most active and to drive the people back with the flat of their sabers as the horses came in among them the throng gave way at many points and the guards following up their advantage were rapidly clearing the ground when two or three of the foremost who were in a manner cut off from the rest by the people closing round them was the horse Barnaby and Hugh who had no doubt been pointed out as the two men who dropped into the lobby laying about them now with some effect and inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents a few slight flesh wounds under the influence of which a man dropped here and there into the arms of his fellows amid much groaning and confusion at the sight of gashed and bloody faces seen for a moment in the crowd then hidden by the press around them Barnaby turned pale and sick but he stood his ground and grasping his pole more firmly yet kept his eye fixed upon the nearest soldier nodding his head meanwhile as Hugh with a scowling visage whispered in his ear the soldier came spurring on making his horse rear as the people pressed about him cutting at the hands of those who would have grasped his reign and forced his charger back and waving to his comrades to follow and still Barnaby without retreating an inch waited for his coming some called to him to fly and some were in the very act of closing round him to prevent his being taken when the pole swept into the air above the people's heads and the man's saddle was empty in an instant then he and Hugh turned and fled the crowd opening to let them pass and closing up again so quickly that there was no clue to the course they had taken panting for breath hot dusty and exhausted with fatigue they reached the river side in safety and getting into a boat with all dispatch were soon out of any immediate danger as they glided down the river they plainly heard the people cheering and supposing they might have forced the soldiers to retreat lay upon their oars for a few minutes uncertain whether to return or not but the crowd passing along Westminster Bridge soon assured them that the populace were dispersing and Hugh rightly guessed from this that they had cheered the magistrate for offering to dismiss the military on condition of their immediate departure to their several homes and that he and Barnaby were better where they were he advised therefore that they should proceed to Black Friars and going ashore at the bridge make the best of their way to the boot where there was not only good entertainment and safe lodging but where they would certainly be joined by many of their late companions Barnaby assenting they decided on this course of action and pulled for Black Friars accordingly they landed at a critical time and fortunately for themselves at the right moment for coming into Fleet Street they found it in an unusual stir and inquiring the cause were told that a body of horse guards had just galloped past and that they were escorting some rioters whom they had made prisoners to Newgate for safety not at all ill pleased to have so narrowly escaped the cavalcade they lost no more time in asking questions but hurried to the boot as Hugh considered it prudent to make without appearing singular or attracting an inconvenient share of public notice End of Chapter 49 Chapter 50 of Barnaby Rudge this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens Chapter 50 they were among the first to reach the tavern but they had not been there many minutes when several groups of men who had formed part of the crowd came filling in among them were Simon Tappertitt and Mr. Dennis both of whom but especially the latter greeted Barnaby with the utmost warmth and paid him many compliments on the prowess he had shown which said Dennis with an oath as he rested his bludgeon in a corner with his hat upon it and took his seat at the same table with them it does me good to think of there was an opportunity but it led to nothing for my part I don't know what would these hear times bring something to eat and drink here I'm disgusted with humanity on what account asked Mr. Tappertitt who had been quenching his fiery face in a half gallon can don't you consider this a good beginning Mr. give me security that at Anna Ending rejoined the hangman when that soldier went down we might have made London hours but no we stand and gape and look on the justice I wish he had had a bullet in each eye and gone to work my way says my lads if you'll give me your work to disperse I'll order off the military our people sets up a hurrah throws up the game with the winning cards in their hands and skulks away like a pack of tame curses they are ah said the hangman in a tone of deep disgust it makes me blush for my fellow creeders I wish I had been born a ox I do you'd have been quite as agreeable a character if you had been I think returned Simon Tappertitt out in a lofty manner don't be too sure of that rejoined the hangman calling after him if I was a horned animal at the present moment with the smallest grain of scents I'd toss every man in this company accepting them too meaning Hugh and Barnaby for his manner of conducting himself this day with which mournful review of their proceedings Mr. Dennis sought consolation in cold boiled beef and beer but without at all relaxing the grim and dissatisfied expression of his face the gloom of which was rather deepened then dissipated by their grateful influence the company who were thus libeled might have retaliated by strong words if not by blows but they were dispirited and worn out the greater part of them had fasted since morning all had suffered extremely from the excessive heat and between the days shouting, exertion and excitement many had quite lost their voices and so much of their strength that they could hardly stand they were uncertain what to do next fearful of the consequences of what they had done already and sensible that after all they had carried no point but had indeed left matters worse than they had found them of those who had come to the boot many dropped off within an hour such of them as were really honest and sincere never after the mornings experience to return or to hold any communication with their late companions others remained but to refresh themselves and then went home desponding others who had therefore been regular in their attendance avoided the place altogether the half dozen prisoners whom the guards had taken were magnified by report into half a hundred at least and their friends being faint and sober so slackened in their energy and so drooped beneath these dispiriting influences that by eight o'clock in the evening Dennis, Hugh and Barnaby were left alone even they were fast asleep upon the benches when Gashford's entrance roused them oh you are here then said the secretary dear me well where should we be, Mr. Gashford Dennis rejoined as he rose into a sitting posture oh nowhere, nowhere he returned with excessive mildness the streets are filled with blue cockades I rather thought you might have been among them I am glad you are not you have orders for us master then, said Hugh oh dear no, not I no orders my good fellow what orders should I have Mr. Gashford, remonstrated Dennis we belong to the cause, don't we the cause repeated the secretary looking at him in a sort of abstraction there is no cause the cause is lost lost oh yes you have heard I suppose the petition is rejected by a hundred and ninety-two to six it's quite final we might have spared ourselves some trouble that and my lord's vexation are the only circumstances I regret I am quite satisfied in all other respects as he said this he took a pen knife from his pocket and putting his hat upon his knee began to busy himself in ripping off the blue cockade which he had worn all day at the same time humming a psalm tune which had been very popular in the morning and dwelling on it with a gentle regret his two adherents looked at each other and at him as if they were at a loss how to pursue the subject at length Hugh after some elbowing and winking between himself and Mr. Dennis ventured to stay his hand and to ask him why he meddled with that ribbon in his hat because said the secretary looking up with something between a snarl and a smile because to sit still and wear it or to fall asleep and wear it is a mockery that's all friend what would you have us do master cred Hugh nothing returned Gashford shrugging his shoulders nothing when my lord was reproached and threatened for standing by you as a prudent man would have had you do nothing when the soldiers were trampling you under their horses feet I would have had you do nothing when one of them was struck down by a daring hand and I saw confusion and dismay in all their faces I would have had you do nothing just what you did in short this is the young man who had so little prudence and so much boldness I am sorry for him sorry master cried Hugh sorry Mr. Gashford echoed Dennis in case there should be a proclamation out tomorrow offering five hundred pounds or some such trifle for his apprehension and in case it should include another man who dropped into the lobby from the stairs above said Gashford coldly still do nothing fire and fury master cried Hugh starting up what have we done that you should talk to us like this nothing returned Gashford with a sneer if you are cast into prison if the young man carried at Barnaby's attentive face is dragged from us and from his friends perhaps from people whom he loves and whom his death would kill is thrown into jail brought out and hanged before their eyes still do nothing you'll find it your best policy I have no doubt come on cried Hugh starting towards the door Dennis Barnaby come on where to do what said Gashford slipping past him and standing with his back against it this side master of the window will serve our turn as well let us out ha ha ha you are of such an impetuous nature said Gashford changing his manner for one of the utmost good fellowship in the pleasantest railery you are such an excitable creature which will drink with me before you go oh yes certainly growled Dennis drawing his sleeve across his thirsty lips no malice brother drink with muster Gashford Hugh wiped his heated brow the artful secretary laughed outright some liquor here be quicker he'll not stop even for that he is a man of such desperate ardor said the smooth secretary whom Mr. Dennis corroborated with sundry nods and muttered oaths once roused he is a fellow of such fierce determination Hugh poised his sturdy arm aloft and clapping Barnaby on the back made him fear nothing they shook hands together poor Barnaby evidently possessed with the idea that he was among the most fearless and disinterested heroes in the world and Gashford laughed again I hear he said smoothly as he stood among them with a great measure of liquor in his hand and filled their glasses as quickly and as often as they chose I hear but I cannot say whether it be true or false that the men who are loitering in the streets tonight are half disposed to pull down a romish chapel or two and that they only want leaders I even heard mention of those in Duke street Lincoln's in fields and in Warwick street cold and square but common report you know you are not going to do nothing master A cried Hugh no jails and halter for Barnaby and me there must be frightened out of that leaders are wanted are they now boys most impetuous fellow cried the secretary haha a courageous boisterous most vehement fellow a man who there was no need to finish the sentence for they had rushed out of the house he stopped in the middle of a laugh listened drew on his gloves and clasping his hands behind him paced the deserted room for a long time then bent his steps towards the busy town and walked into the streets they were filled with people for the rumor of that day's proceedings had made a great noise those persons who did not care to leave home were at their doors or windows and one topic of discourse prevailed on every side some reported that the riots were put down others that they had broken out again some said that Lord George Gordon had been sent under a strong guard to the tower others that an attempt had been made upon the king's life that the soldiers had been again called out and that the noise of musketry in a distant part of the town had been plainly heard within an hour as it grew darker these stories became more direful and mysterious and often when some frightened passenger ran past with tidings that the rioters were not far off and were coming up the doors were shut and barred lower windows made secure and as much consternation engendered as if the city were invaded by a foreign army Gashford walked stealthily about listening to all he heard and defusing or confirming whenever he had an opportunity such false intelligence has suited his own purpose and busily occupied in this way turned into Holborn for the 20th time when a great many women and children came flying along the street often panting and looking back and the confused murmur of numerous voices struck upon his ear assured by these tokens and by the red light which began to flash upon the houses on either side that some of his friends were indeed approaching he begged a moment's shelter at a door which opened as he passed and running with some other persons to an upper window looked out upon the crowd they had torches among them and the cheap faces were distinctly visible that they had been engaged in the destruction of some building was sufficiently apparent and that it was a Catholic place of worship was evident from the spoils they bore as trophies which were easily recognizable for the vestments of priests and rich fragments of altar furniture covered with soot and dirt and dust and lime their garments torn to rags their hair hanging wildly about them their hands and faces jagged and bleeding with the wounds of rusty nails the hue and dentists hurried on before them all like hideous madmen after them the dense throng came fighting on some singing, some shouting in triumph some quarreling among themselves some menacing the spectators as they passed some with great wooden fragments on which they spent their rage as if they had been alive rending them limb from limb and hurling the scattered morsels high into the air some in a drunken state unconscious of the hurts they had received from falling bricks and stones and beams one born upon a shutter in the very midst covered with a dingy cloth a senseless ghastly heap thus a vision of course faces with here and there a blot of flaring smoky light a dream of demon heads and savage eyes and sticks and iron bars uplifted in the air and whirled about a bewildering horror in which so much was seen and yet so little so short in which there were so many phantoms not to be forgotten all through life and yet so many things that could not be observed in one distracting glimpse it flitted onward and was gone as it passed away upon its work of wrath and ruin a piercing scream was heard a note of persons ran towards the spot Gashford who just then emerged into the street among them he was on the outskirts of the little concourse and could not see or hear what passed within but one who had a better place informed him that a widow woman had described her son among the rioters is that all said the secretary turning his face homewards well I think this looks a little more like business end of chapter 50 chapter 51 of Barnaby Rudge this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens chapter 51 promising as these outrageous word Gashford's view and much like business as they looked they extended that night no farther the soldiers were again called out again they took half a dozen prisoners and again the crowd dispersed after a short and bloodless scuffle hot and drunken though they were they had not yet broken all bounds and set all law and government at defiance something of their habitual deference to the authority erected by society for its own preservation yet remained among them and had its majesty been vindicated in time the secretary would have had to digest a bitter disappointment by midnight the streets were clear and quiet and saved that they're stood in two parts of the town a heap of nodding walls and pile of rubbish where there had been at sunset a rich and handsome building everything wore its usual aspect even the Catholic gentry and tradesmen of whom there were many resident in different parts of the city and its suburbs had no fear for their lives or property and but little indignation for the wrong they had already sustained in the plunder and destruction of their temples of worship an honest confidence in the government under whose protection they had lived for many years and a well founded reliance on the good feeling and right thinking of the great mass of the community with whom not withstanding their religious differences they were everyday in habits of confidential affectionate and friendly intercourse reassured them even under the excesses that had been committed and convinced them that they who were Protestants in anything but their name were no more to be considered as a betters of these disgraceful occurrences than they themselves were chargeable with the uses of the block the rack, the gibbet and the steak in cruel Mary's reign the clock was on the stroke of one when Gabriel Vartan with his lady and Miss Miggs sat waiting in the little parlor and this fact, the toppling wicks of the dull wasted candles the silence that prevailed and above all the night caps of both maid and matron were sufficient evidence that they had been prepared for bed some time ago and had some reason for sitting up so far beyond their usual hour if any other corroborative testimony had been required it would have been abundantly furnished in the actions of Miss Miggs who having arrived at that restless state of the position of the nervous system which are the result of long watching did by a constant rubbing and tweaking of her nose a perpetual change of position arising from the sudden growth of imaginary knots and knobs in her chair a frequent friction of her eyebrows the incessant recurrence of a small cough a small groan, a gasp a sigh, a sniff a spasmodic start and by other demonstrations of that nature so filed down and rasp that were the patients of the locksmith that after looking at her in silence for some time he at last broke out into this apostrophe Miggs, my good girl, go to bed do go to bed, you're really worse than the dripping of a hundred water butts outside the window or the scratching of as many mice behind the rain-skat I can't bear it, do go to bed Miggs, to oblige me, do you haven't got nothing to untie sir, return Miss Miggs and therefore your requests not surprise me, but Mrs. has and while you sit up, Mim, she added turning to the locksmith's wife I couldn't, no, not if twenty times the quantity of cold water was apparently running down my back at this moment, go to bed with a quiet spirit having spoken these words Miss Miggs made diverse efforts to rub her shoulders in an impossible place and shivered from head to foot thereby giving the beholders to understand that the imaginary cascade was still in full flow but that a sense of duty upheld her under that and all other sufferings and nerved her to endurance Mrs. Varden, being too sleepy to speak and Miss Miggs having, as the phrase is, said her say the locksmith had nothing for it but to sigh and be as quiet as he could but to be quiet was such a basilisk before him was impossible if he looked another way it was worse to feel that she was rubbing her cheek or twitching her ear using all kinds of extraordinary shapes with her nose than to see her do it if she was for a moment free from any of these complaints it was only because of her foot being asleep or of her arm having got the fidgets or of her leg being doubled up with the cramp or of some other horrible disorder which wrecked her whole frame if she did enjoy a moment's ease then with her eyes shut and her mouth wide open she would be seen to sit very stiff and upright in her chair forward and stop with a jerk then to nod a little farther forward and stop with another jerk then to recover herself then to come forward again lower, lower, lower by very slow degrees until just as it seemed impossible that she could preserve her balance for another instant and the locksmith was about to call out in an agony to save her from dashing down upon her forehead and fracturing her skull then all of a sudden and without the smallest notice she would come upright and rigid again with her eyes open and in her countenance an expression of defiance sleepy but yet most obstinate which plainly said I've never once closed them since I looked at you last and I'll take my oath of it at length after the clock had struck two there was a sound at the street door as if somebody had fallen against the knocker by accident Miss Miggs immediately jumping up and clapping her hands cried with a drowsy mingling hallelujah, mem there's Simmons knock who's there? said Gabriel me cried the well-known voice of Mr. Tappertit Gabriel opened the door and gave him admission he did not cut a very insinuating figure for a man of his stature suffers in a crowd and having been active in yesterday morning's work his dress was literally crushed from head to foot his hat being beaten out of all shape and his shoes trotting down at heel like slippers his coat fluttered in strips about him the buckles were torn away both from his knees and feet half his necrochip was gone and the bosom of his shirt was rent to tatters yet notwithstanding all these personal disadvantages despite his being very weak from heat and fatigue and so begrimed with mud and dust that he might have been in a case for anything of the real texture either of his skin or apparel that the eye could discern he was literally into the parlor and throwing himself into a chair and endeavoring to thrust his hands into the pockets of his small clothes which returned inside out and displayed upon his legs like tassels surveyed the household with a gloomy dignity Simon said the locksmith gravely how comes it that you return home at this time of night and in this condition give me an assurance that you have not been among the rioters and I am satisfied Sir replied Mr. Tappertit with a contemptuous look I wonder at your assurance in making such demands you have been drinking said the locksmith as a general principal and in the most offensive sense of the word sir returned his journeyman with great self possession I consider you a liar in that last observation you have unintentionally unintentionally sir stuck upon the truth Martha said the locksmith turning to his wife and shaking his head sorrowfully while a smile at the absurd figure beside him still played upon his open face I trust it may turn out that this poor lad is not the victim of the knaves and fools we have so often had words about and who have done so much harm today if he has been at Warwick Street or Duke Street tonight he has been at neither sir cried Mr. Tappertit in a loud voice which he suddenly dropped into a whisper as he repeated with eyes fixed upon the locksmith he has been at neither I am glad of it with all my heart said the locksmith in a serious tone for if he had been and it could be proved against him Martha your great association would have been to him the cart that draws men to the gallows and leaves them hanging in the air it would as sure as we're alive Mrs. Barden was too much scared by Simon's altered manner and appearance and by the accounts of the rioters which had reached her ears that night to offer any retort or to have recourse to her usual matrimonial policy Miss Miggs wrung her hands and wept he was not at Duke Street or at Warwick Street G. Barden said Simon's sternly but he was at Westminster perhaps sir he kicked a county member perhaps sir he tapped a lord you may stare sir I repeat it blood flowed from noses and perhaps he tapped a lord who knows this he added putting his hand into his waistcoat pocket and taking out a large tooth at the side of which both Miggs and Mrs. Barden screamed this was a bishops beware G. Barden now I would rather so the locksmith hastily have paid five hundred pounds than had this come to pass you idiot do you know what peril you stand in I know it sir replied his journeyman and it is my glory I was there everybody saw me there I was conspicuous and prominent I will abide the consequences the locksmith really disturbed and agitated paced to and fro in silence glancing at his former prentice every now and then and at length stopping before him said get to bed and sleep for a couple of hours that you may wake penitent and with some of your senses about you be sorry for what you have done and we will try to save you if I call him by five o'clock said Barden turning hurriedly to his wife and he washes himself clean and changes his dress he may get to the tower stairs and away by the graves and tide boat before any search is made for him from there he can easily get on to Canterbury where your cousin will give him work till the storm is blown over I am not sure that I do right in screening him from the punishment he deserves but he has lived in this house man and boy for a dozen years and I should be sorry if for this one day's work he made a miserable end lock the front door migs and show no light towards the street when you go upstairs quick Simon get to bed and do you suppose sir retorted Mr. Tappertitt with the thickness and slowness of speech which contrasted forcibly with the rapidity and earnestness of his kind-hearted master and do you suppose sir that I am base and mean enough to accept your servile proposition miscreant whatever you please Simba get to bed every minute is of consequence the light here migs yes yes so do go to bed directly cried the two women together Mr. Tappertitt stood upon his feet and pushing his chair away to show that he needed no assistance answered swaying himself to and fro and managing his head as if it had no connection whatever with his body you spoke of migs sir migs may be smothered oh Simon ejaculated that young lady in a faint voice oh ma'am oh sir oh goodness gracious what a turn he has given me this family may all be smothered sir returned Mr. Tappertitt after glancing at her with a smile of ineffable disdain accepting Mrs. V I have come here sir for her sake this night Mrs. Vardon take this piece of paper it's a protection ma'am you may need it with these words he held out at arms length a dirty crumpled scrap of writing the locksmith took it from him opened it and read as follows all good friends to our cause I hope will be particular and do no injury to the property of any true protestant I am well assured that the proprietor of this house is a staunch and worthy friend to cause George Gordon what's this said the locksmith with an altered face something that'll do you good service young fella replied his journeyman as you'll find keep that safe and where you can lay your hand upon it in an instant and chalk no popery on your door tomorrow night and for a week to come this is a genuine document said the locksmith I know for I have seen the hand before what threat does it imply what devil is abroad a fiery devil retorted sim a flaming furious devil don't you put yourself in its way or you're done for my buck be warned in time G Vardon farewell but here the two women threw themselves in his way especially Miss Miggs who fell upon him with such fervor and against the wall and conjured him in moving words not to go forth till he was sober to listen to reason to think of it to take some rest and then determine I tell you said Mr. Tappertitt that my mind is made up my bleeding country calls me and I go Miggs if you don't get out of the way I'll pinch you Miss Miggs still clinging to the rebel screamed once vociferously but whether in the distraction having executed his threat is uncertain release me said Simon struggling to free himself from her chased but spider-like embrace let me go I have made arrangements for you in an altered state of society and mean to provide for you comfortably in life there will that satisfy you oh Simon cried Miss Miggs oh my blessed Simon oh meh what are my feelings at this conflicting moment of a rather turbulent description it would seem for her nightcap had been knocked off in the scuffle and she was on her knees upon the floor making a strange revelation of blue and yellow curlpapers straggling locks of hair tags of stay laces and strings of it's impossible to say what panting for breath clasping her hands turning her eyes upwards shedding abundance of tears and exhibiting various other symptoms of the acutist mental suffering turning to his master with an utter disregard of Miggs's maidenly affliction a box of things upstairs do what you like with them I don't want them I'm never coming back here anymore provide yourself sir with a journeyman I'm my country's journeyman hence forward that's my line of business be what you like in two hours time but now go to bed return the locksmith planting himself in the doorway do you hear me go to bed do and defy you barden rejoined Simon Tappertitt this night sir I have been in the country planning an expedition which shall fill your bell-hanging soul with wonder and dismay the plot demands my utmost energy let me pass I'll knock you down if you come near the door replied the locksmith you had better go to bed Simon made no answer but gathering himself up as straight as he could plunged head foremost at his old master and driving out into the workshop together plying their hands and feet so briskly that they looked like half a dozen while Migs and Mrs. Varden screamed for twelve it would have been easy for Varden to knock his old apprentice down and bind him hand and foot but as he was lost to hurt him in his then defenseless state he contented himself with parrying his blows when he could taking them in perfect good part when he could not and keeping between him and the door until a favorable opportunity should present itself for forcing him to retreat upstairs and shutting him up in his own room but in the goodness of his heart he calculated too much upon his adversary's weakness and forgot that drunken men who have lost the power of walking steadily can often run watching his time, Simon Tappertit made a cunning show of falling back staggered unexpectedly forward brushed past him, opened the door he knew the trick of that lock well and darted down the street like a mad dog the locksmith paused for a moment in the excess of his astonishment and then gave chase it was an excellent season for a run for at that silent hour the streets were deserted, the air was cool and the flying figure before him distinctly visible at a great distance as it sped away with a long gaunt shadow following at its heels but the short-winded locksmith had no chance against a man of sims youth and spare figure though the day had been when he could have run him down in no time the space between them rapidly increased and as the rays of the rising sun streamed upon Simon in the act of turning a distant corner Gabriel Varden was feigned to give up and sit down on a doorstep to fetch his breath Simon meanwhile, without once stopping fled at the same degree of swiftness to the boot where as he well knew some of his company were lying and at which respectable hostility for he had already acquired the distinction of being in great peril of the law a friendly watch had been expecting him all night and was even now on the lookout for his coming go thy ways sim go thy ways said the locksmith as soon as he could speak I have done my best for thee poor lad and would have saved thee but the rope is round thy neck I fear so saying and shaking his head in a very sorrowful and disconsolate manner he turned back and soon re-entered his own house where Mrs. Varden and the faithful Migs had been anxiously expecting his return now Mrs. Varden and by consequence Miss Migs likewise was impressed with the secret misgiving that she had done wrong that she had to the utmost of her small means aided and abetted the growth of disturbances the end of which it was impossible to foresee that she had led remotely to the scene which had just passed and that the locksmith's time for triumph and reproach had now arrived indeed and so strongly did Mrs. Varden feel this and so crestfallen was she in consequence that while her husband was pursuing their lost journeyman she secreted under her chair the little red brick dwelling house with the yellow roof lest it should furnish new occasion for reference to the painful theme and now hid the same still more with the skirts of her dress but it happened that the locksmith had been thinking of this very article on his way home and that coming into the room and not seeing it he had once demanded where it was Mrs. Varden had no resource but to produce it which she did with many tears and broken protestations that if she could have known yes yes said Varden of course I know that I don't mean to reproach you my dear but recollect from this time that all good things perverted to evil purposes are worse than those which are naturally bad a thoroughly wicked woman is wicked indeed when religion goes wrong she is very wrong for the same reason let us say no more about it my dear so he dropped the red brick dwelling house on the floor and setting his heel upon it crusted into pieces the half pence and six pence and other voluntary contributions rolled about in all directions but nobody offered to touch them or to take them up that said the locksmith is easily disposed of and I would to heaven that everything growing out of the same society could be settled as easily it happens very fortunately Varden said his wife with her handkerchief to her eyes that in case any more disturbances should happen which I hope not I sincerely hope not I hope so too my dear that in case any should occur we have the piece of paper which that poor misguided young man brought ay to be sure said the locksmith turning quickly round where is that piece of paper Mrs. Varden stood aghast as he took it from her outstretched hand tore it into fragments and threw them under the grate not use it she said use it cried the locksmith no let them come and pull the roof about our ears let them burn us out of house and home I'd neither have the protection of their leader nor chalk their howl upon my door though for not doing it they shot me on my own threshold use it let them come and do their worst the first man who crosses my doorstep on such an errand as theirs had better be a hundred miles away let him look to it the others may have their will I wouldn't beg or buy them off instead of every pound of iron in the place there was a hundred weight of gold get you to bed Martha I shall take down the shutters and go to work so early said his wife ay replied the locksmith cheerly so early come when they may they shall not find us skulking and hiding as if we feared to take our portion of the light of day and left it all to them so pleasant dreams to you my dear and cheerful sleep with that he gave his wife a hearty kiss and bade her delay no longer the heart would be timed to rise before she lay down to rest Mrs. Barton quite amiably and meekly walked upstairs followed by migs who although a good deal subdued could not refrain from sundry stimulative coughs and sniffs by the way or from holding up her hands in astonishment at the daring conduct of master End of Chapter 51 Recorded by Deborah Lynn Chapter 52 of Barnaby Rudge this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens Chapter 52 a mob is usually a creature of very mysterious existence particularly in a large city where it comes from or whether it goes few men can tell assembling and dispersing with equal suddenness it is as difficult to follow to its various sources as the sea itself nor does the parallel stop here for the ocean is not more fickle and uncertain more terrible when roused more unreasonable or more cruel the people who were boisterous at Westminster upon the Friday morning and were eagerly bent upon the work of devastation in Duke Street and Warwick Street at night were in the mass the same allowing for the chance accessions of which any crowd is morally sure in a town where there must always be a large number of idle and profligate persons one in the same mob was at both places but they spread themselves in various directions when they dispersed in the afternoon made no appointment for reassembling had no definite purpose or design and indeed for anything they knew were scattered beyond the hope of future union at the boot which as has been shown was in a manner the headquarters of the rioters there were not upon this Friday night a dozen people some slept in the stable and outhouses some in the common room some two or three in beds the rest were in their usual homes or haunts perhaps not a score in all lay in the adjacent fields and lanes and under haystacks or near the warmth of brick kilns who had not their accustomed place of rest beneath the open sky as to the public ways within the town they had their ordinary nightly occupants and no others the usual amount of vice and wretchedness but no more the experience of one evening however had taught the reckless leaders of disturbance that they had but to show themselves in the streets to be immediately surrounded by materials which they could only have kept together when their aid was not required at great risk, expense and trouble once possessed of this secret they were as confident as if twenty thousand men devoted to their will had been encamped about them and assumed a confidence which could not have been surpassed though that had really been the case all day Saturday they remained quiet on Sunday they rather studied how to keep their men within call and in full hope than to follow out by any fierce measure their first day's proceedings I hope said Dennis as with a loud yawn he raised his body from a heap of straw in which he had been sleeping and supporting his head upon his hand appealed to Hugh on Sunday morning that muster-gashford allows some rest perhaps he'd have us at work again already, eh? it's not his way to let matters drop you may be sure of that, growled Hugh in answer I'm in no humor to stir yet though I'm as stiff as a dead body and as full of ugly scratches as if I had been fighting all day yesterday with wild cats you've so much enthusiasm that's it said Dennis looking with great admiration at the uncombed head matted beard and torn hands and face of the wild figure before him you're such a devil of a fellow you hurt yourself a hundred times more than you need because you will be foremost in everything and will do more than the rest for the matter of that returned Hugh shaking back his ragged hair and glancing towards the door of the stable in which they lay there's one yonder as good as me what did I tell you about him? did I say he was worth a dozen when you doubted him? Mr. Dennis rolled lazily over upon his breast and resting his chin upon his hand in imitation of the attitude in which Hugh lay said as he too looked towards the door eh eh you knew him brother you knew him but who would suppose to look at that chap now that he could be the man he is isn't it a thousand cruel pitties brother that instead of taking his natural rest and qualifying himself for further exertions in this here honorable clause he should be playing at soldiers like a boy and his cleanliness too said Mr. Dennis who certainly had no reason to entertain a fellow feeling with anybody who was particular on that score what weaknesses he's guilty of with respect to his cleanliness at five o'clock this morning there he was at the pump though anyone would think he had gone through enough the day before yesterday to be pretty fast asleep at that time but no when I woke for a minute or two there he was at the pump and if you'd seen him sticking them peacocks feathers into his hat when he'd done washing ah I'm sorry he's such an imperfect character but the best in us is incomplete in some kind of viewer or another the subject of this dialogue and of these concluding remarks which were uttered in a tone of philosophical meditation was as the reader will have divined no other than Barnaby who with his flag in hand stood sentry in the little patch of sunlight at the distant door or walked to and fro outside singing softly to himself and keeping time to the music of some clear church bells whether he stood still leaning with both hands on the flagstaff or bearing it upon his shoulder paced slowly up and down the careful arrangement of his poor dress direct and lofty bearing showed how high a sense he had of the great importance of his trust and how happy and how proud it made him to hue and his companion who lay in a dark corner of the gloomy shed he and the sunlight and the peaceful Sabbath sound to which he made response seemed like a bright picture framed by the door and set off by the stable's blackness the whole formed such a contrast to themselves as they lay wallowing like some obscene animals with their squalor and wickedness on the two heaps of straw that for a few moments they looked on without speaking and felt almost ashamed ah said Hewitt Length carrying it off with a laugh he's a rare fellow as Barnaby and can do more with less rest or meat or drink than any of us as to his soldiering I put him on duty there then there was an object in it and a proper good one too I'll be sworn retorted Dennis with a broad grin and an oath of the same quality what was it brother while you see said Hewitt crawling a little nearer to him that our noble captain Yonder came in yesterday morning rather the worse for liquor and was like you and me did all last night Dennis looked to where Simon Tappertot lay coiled upon a truss of hay snoring profoundly and nodded and our noble captain continued Hewitt with another laugh our noble captain and I have planned for tomorrow a roaring expedition with good profit in it again the papists asked Dennis rubbing his hands eh against the papists against one of them at least that some of us and I for one owe a good heavy grudge to not Mr. Gasper's friend that he spoke to us about in my house eh said Dennis brimful of pleasant expectation the same man said to you that's your sword cried Mr. Dennis gaily shaking hands with him that's the kind of game let's have revenges and injuries and all that and we shall get on twice as fast now you talk indeed ha ha ha the captain added Hewitt has thoughts of carrying off a woman in the bustle and ha ha ha and so have I Mr. Dennis received this part of the scheme with a wide face observing that as a general principal he objected to women all together as being unsafe and slippery persons on whom there was no calculating with any certainty and who were never in the same mind for four and twenty hours at a stretch he might have expatiated on this suggested theme at much greater length but that it occurred to him to ask what connection existed between the proposed expedition and Barnaby's being posted at the Stable Door as sentry to which Hew cautiously replied in these words why the people we mean to visit were friends of his once upon a time and I know that much of him to feel pretty sure that if he thought we were going to do them any harm he'd be no friend to our side but would lend a ready hand to the other so I persuaded him for I know him of old that Lord George has picked him out to guard this place tomorrow while we're away and that it's a great honor and so he's on duty now and as proud of it as if he was a general ha ha what do you say to me for a careful man as well as a devil of a one Mr. Dennis exhausted himself in compliments and then added but about the expedition itself about that said Hew you shall hear all particulars from me and the great captain conjointly and both together for see he's waking up rouse yourself lying heart ha ha put a good face upon it and drink again another hair of the dog that bit you captain call for drink there's enough of gold and silver cups and candlesticks buried underneath my bed he added rolling back the straw and pointing to where the ground was newly turned to pay for it if it was a score of casks full drink captain Mr. Tapetit received these jovial promptings with a very bad grace being much the worst both in mind and body for his two nights of debauch and but indifferently able to stand upon his legs with Hughes assistance however he contrived a stagger to the pump and having refreshed himself with an abundant draft of cold water and a copious shower of the same refreshing liquid on his head and face he ordered some Roman milk to be served and upon that innocent beverage and some biscuits and cheese made a pretty hearty meal that done he disposed himself in an easy attitude on the ground beside his two companions who were carousing after their own tastes and proceeded to enlighten Mr. Denison referenced to tomorrow's project that their conversation was an interesting one was rendered manifest by its length and by the close attention of all three that it was not of an oppressively grave character but was enlivened by various pleasantries arising out of the subject was clear from their loud and frequent roars of laughter which startled Barnaby on his post and made him wander at their levity but he was not summoned to join them until they had eaten and drunk and slept and talked together for some hours not indeed until the twilight when they informed him that they were about to make a slight demonstration in the streets just to keep the people's hands in as it was Sunday night and the public might otherwise be disappointed and that he was free to accompany them if he would without the slightest preparation saving that they carried clubs and wore the blue cockade they salad out into the streets and with no more subtle design than that of doing as much mischief as they could paraded them at random their numbers rapidly increasing they soon divided into parties and agreeing to meet by and by in the fields near Wellbeck Street scoured the town in various directions the largest body which augmented with the greatest rapidity was the one to which Hugh and Barnaby belonged this took its way towards Morefield where there was a rich chapel and in which neighborhood several Catholic families were known to reside beginning with the private houses so occupied they broke open the doors and windows and while they destroyed the furniture and left but the bare walls made a sharp search for tools and engines of destruction such as hammers, pokers, axes, saws and such like instruments many of the rioters made belts of cord of handkerchiefs or any material they found at hand and wore these weapons as openly as pioneers upon a field day there was not the least disguise or concealment indeed on this night very little excitement or hurry from the chapels they tore down and took away the very altars benches, pulpits, pews and flooring from the dwelling houses the very wainscotting in stairs this Sunday evening's recreation they pursued like mere workmen who had a certain task to do and did it fifty resolute men might have turned them at any moment a single company of soldiers could have scattered them like dust but no man interposed no authority restrained them and except by the terrified persons who fled from their approach they were as little heated as if they were pursuing their lawful occupations with the utmost sobriety and good conduct in the same manner they marched to the place of rendezvous and made great fires in the fields and reserving the most valuable of their spoils burnt the rest priestly garments, images of saints rich stuffs and ornaments altar furniture and household goods were cast into the flames and shed a glare on the whole country round but they danced and howled and roared about these fires till they were tired and were never for an instant checked as the main body filed off from this scene of action and passed down Wellbeck Street they came upon Gashford who had been a witness of their proceedings and was walking stealthily along the pavement keeping up with him and yet not seeming to speak he muttered in his ear is this better master no said Gashford it is not what would you have said Hugh fevers are never at their height at once they must get on by degrees I would have you said Gashford pinching his arm with such malevolence that his nails seemed to meet in the skin I would have you put some meaning into your work foals can you make no better bonfires than of rags and scraps can you burn nothing whole a little patience master said Hugh wait but a few hours and you shall see look for a redness in the sky tomorrow night with that he fell back into his place beside Barnaby and when the secretary looked after him both were lost in the crowd End of Chapter 52 Chapter 53 of Barnaby Rudge this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens Chapter 53 the next day was ushered in by Mary Peels of Bells and by the firing of the tower guns flags were hoisted on many of the church steeples the usual demonstrations were made in honor of the anniversary of the king's birthday and every man went about his pleasure or business as if the city were in perfect order and there were no half smoldering embers in its secret places which on the approach of night would kindle up again and scatter ruin and dismay abroad the leaders of the riot rendered still more daring by the success of last night and by the booty they had acquired kept steadily together and only thought of implicating the mass of their followers so deeply that no hope of pardon or reward might tempt them to betray their more notorious confederates into the hands of justice indeed the sense of having gone too far to be forgiven held the timid together no less than the bold many who would readily have pointed out the foremost rioters and given evidence against them felt that escape by that means was hopeless when there every act had been observed by scores of people who had taken no part in the disturbances who had suffered in their persons peace or property by the outrages of the mob who would be most willing witnesses and whom the government would no doubt refer to any king's evidence that might be offered many of this class had deserted their usual occupations on the Saturday morning some had been seen by their employers active in the tumult others knew they must be suspected and that they would be discharged if they returned others had been desperate from the beginning and comforted themselves with the homely proverb that being hanged at all they might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb they all hoped and believed in a greater or less degree that the government they seem to have paralyzed would in its terror come to terms with them in the end and suffer them to make their own conditions the least sang when among them reasoned with himself that at the worst there were too many to be all punished and that he had as good a chance of escape as any other man the great mass never reasoned or thought at all but were stimulated by their own headlong passions by poverty, by ignorance, by the love of mischief and the hope of plunder one other circumstance is worthy of remark and that is that from the moment of their first outbreak at Westminster every symptom of order or preconcerted arrangement among them vanished when they divided into parties and ran to different quarters of the town it was on the spontaneous suggestion of the moment each party swelled as it went along like rivers as they rolled towards the sea new leaders sprang up as they were wanted this appeared when the necessity was over and reappeared at the next crisis each tumult took shape and form from the circumstances of the moment sober workmen going home from their day's labor were seen to cast down their baskets of tools and become rioters in an instant mere boys on errands did the like in a word a moral plague ran through the city the noise and hurry and excitement had for hundreds and hundreds in attraction they had no firmness to resist the contagion spread like a dread fever an infectious madness as yet not near its height seized on new victims every hour and society began to tremble at their ravings it was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon when Gashford looked into the lair described in the last chapter and seeing only Barnaby and Dennis there inquired for Hugh he was out Barnaby told him had gone out more than an hour ago and had not yet returned so the smiling secretary in his smoothest voice as he sat down cross legged on a barrel Dennis the hangman struggled into a sitting posture directly and with his eyes wide open looked towards him how do you do Dennis said Gashford nodding I hope you have suffered no inconvenience from your late exertions Dennis I always will save you Mr. Gashford returned the hangman staring at him that that air quiet way of yours might almost wake a dead man as he added with a muttered oath still staring at him in a thoughtful manner so awful sly so distinct day Dennis distinct he answered scratching his head and keeping his eyes upon the secretary's face I seem to hear it muster Gashford in my weary bones I am very glad your sense of hearing is so sharp and that I succeed in making myself so intelligible said Gashford in his unvarying even tone where is your friend Dennis looked round as an expectation of beholding him asleep upon his bed of straw then remembering he had seen him go out replied I can't say where he is Mr. Gashford I expected him back before now I hope it isn't time that we was busy Mr. Gashford nay said the secretary who should know that as well as you how can I tell you Dennis you are perfect master of your own actions you know and accountable to nobody except sometimes to the law Dennis who was very much baffled by the cool matter of course manner of this reply recovered his self-possession on his professional pursuits being referred to and pointing towards Barnaby shook his head and frowned hush cried Barnaby ah do hush about that Mr. Gashford said the hangman in a low voice popular prejudices you always forget well Barnaby my lad what's the matter I hear him coming he answered hark do you mark that that's his foot bless you I know his step and his dogs too tramp tramp pit pat on they come together and ha ha and here they are he cried joyfully welcoming Hugh with both hands and then patting him fondly on the back as if instead of being the rough companion he was he had been one of the most prepossessing of men here he is and safe too I am glad to see him back again old Hugh I'm a Turk if you don't give me a warmer welcome always than a man of sense said Hugh shaking hands with him with a kind of ferocious friendship strange enough to see how are you boy Hardy cried Barnaby waving his head ha ha ha and married to Hugh and ready to do anything for the good cause and the right and to help the kind mild pale faced gentlemen the Lord they used so ill ah Hugh hey returned his friend dropping his hand and looking at Gashford for an instant with a changed expression before he spoke to him good day master and good day to you replied the secretary nursing his leg and many good days whole years of them I hope you are heated so would you have been master said Hugh wiping his face if you'd been running here as fast as I have you know the news then yes I suppose you would have heard it news what news you don't cried Gashford raising his eyebrows with an exclamation of surprise dear me come then I am the first to make you acquainted with your distinguished position after all do you see the king's arms atop he smilingly asked as he took a large paper from his pocket unfolded it and held it out for Hugh's inspection well said Hugh what's that to me much a great deal replied the secretary read it I told you the first time I saw you that I couldn't read I said Hugh impatiently what in the devil's name is inside of it it is a proclamation from the king in council said Gashford dated today and offering a reward of 500 pounds 500 pounds is a great deal of money and a large temptation to some people to anyone who will discover the person or persons most active in demolishing those chapels on Saturday night is that all cried Hugh with an indifferent air that truly I might have known you did said Gashford smiling and folding up the document again your friend I might have guessed indeed I did guess was sure to tell you my friend stammered Hugh with an unsuccessful effort to appear surprised what friend tut tut do you suppose I don't know where you've been retorted Gashford rubbing his hands and beating the back of one on the palm of the other and looking at him with a cunning eye tell you think me shall I say his name no said Hugh with a hasty glance towards Dennis you have also heard from him no doubt resumed the secretary after a moment's pause that the rioters who have been taken poor fellows are committed for trial and that some very active witnesses have had the temerity to appear against them among others and here he clenched his teeth as if he would suppress by force some violent words that rose upon his tongue and spoke very slowly among others a gentleman who saw the work going on in Warwick Street a Catholic gentleman one hair dail Hugh would have prevented his uttering the word but it was out already hearing the name Barnaby turned swiftly round duty duty bold Barnaby cried Hugh assuming his wildest and most rapid manner and thrusting into his hand his staff and flag which leaned against the wall Mount guard without loss of time for we are off upon our expedition up Dennis and get ready take care that no one turns the straw upon my bed brave Barnaby we know what's underneath it eh now master quick what you have to say say speedily for the little captain and a cluster of them are in the fields and only waiting for us sharps the word and strikes the action quick Barnaby was not proof against this bustle and dispatch the look of mingled astonishment and anger which had appeared in his face when he turned towards them faded from it as the words passed from his memory like breath from a polished mirror and grasping the weapon which Hugh forced upon him he proudly took his station at the door beyond their hearing you might have spoiled our plans master said Hugh Hugh too of all men who would have supposed that he would be so quick urged Gashford he is as quick sometimes I don't mean with his hands for that but with his head as you or any man said Hugh Dennis it's time we were going they're waiting for us I came to tell you reach me my stick and belt here lend a hand master fling this over my shoulder and buckle it behind will you brisk is ever said the secretary adjusting it for him as he desired a man need be brisk today there's brisk work afoot there is is there said Gashford he said it was such a provoking assumption of ignorance that Hugh looking over his shoulder and angrily down upon him replied is there you know there is who knows better than you master that the first great step to be taken is to make examples of these witnesses and frighten all men from appearing against us or any of our body anymore there's one we know of returned Gashford with an expressive smile who is at least as well informed upon that subject as you or I being the same gentleman as I suppose we do Hugh rejoined softly I tell you this he's as good and quick information about everything is here he paused and looked round as if to make sure that the person in question was not within hearing as old Nick himself have you done that master how slow you are it's quite fast now said Gashford rising I say you didn't find that your friend disapproved of today's little expedition it is fortunate it jumps so well with the witness policy for once planned it must have been carried out and now you are going now we are going master Hugh replied any parting words oh dear no said Gashford sweetly none you're sure cried Hugh nudging the grinning Dennis quite sure a muster Gashford chuckled the hangman Gashford paused the moment struggling with his caution and his malice then putting himself between the two men and laying a hand upon the arm of each said in a cramped whisper do not my good friends I am sure you will not forget our talk one night in your house Dennis about this person no mercy no quarter no two beams of his house to be left standing where the builder placed them fire the saying goes as a good servant but a bad master make it his master he deserves no better but I am sure you will be firm I am sure you will be very resolute I am sure you will remember that he thirsts for your lives and those of all your brave companions if you ever acted like staunch fellows you will do so today won't you Dennis won't you Hugh the two looked at him and at each other then bursting into a roar of laughter brandished their staves above their heads shook hands and hurried out when they had been gone a little time Gashford followed yet in sight and hastening to that part of the adjacent fields in which their fellows had already mustered Hugh was looking back and flourishing his hat to Barnaby who delighted with his trust replied in the same way and then resumed his pacing up and down before the stable door where his feet had worn a path already and when Gashford himself was far distant and looked back for the last time he was still walking to and fro with the same measured tread the most devoted by this champion that ever maintained a post and felt his heart lifted up with a brave sense of duty and determination to defend it to the last smiling at the simplicity of the poor idiot Gashford betook himself to Wellbeck street by a different path from that which he knew the rioters would take and sitting down behind a curtain in one of the upper windows of Lord George Gordon's house waited impatiently for their coming they were so long that although he knew it had been settled they should come that way he had a misgiving they must have changed their plans and taken some other route but at length the roar of voices was heard in the neighboring fields and soon afterwards they came thronging past in a great body however they were not all nor nearly all in one body but were as he soon found divided into four parties each of which stopped before the house to give three cheers and then went on the leaders crying out in what direction they were going and calling on the spectators to join them the first detachment carrying by way of banners some relics of the havoc they had made in more fields proclaimed that they were on their way to Chelsea once they would return in the same order to make of the spoil they bore a great bonfire near at hand the second gave out that they were bound for whopping to destroy a chapel the third that the place of destination was East Smithfield and their object the same this was done in broad bright summer day gay carriages and chairs stopped to let them pass or turned back to avoid them people on foot stood aside in doorways or perhaps knocked and begged permission to stand at a window or in the hall until the rioters had passed but nobody interfered with them and when they had gone by everything went on as usual there still remained the fourth body and for that the secretary looked for the most intense eagerness at last it came up it was numerous and composed of picked men for as he gazed down among them he recognized many upturned faces which he knew well those of Simon Tappertitt, Hugh and Dennis in the front of course they halted and cheered as the others had done but when they moved again they did not, like them, proclaim what design they had Hugh merely raised his head upon the bludgeon he carried and glancing at a spectator the way was gone Gashford followed the direction of his glance instinctively and saw standing in the pavement and wearing the blue cockade Sir John Chester he held his hat an inch or two above his head to propitiate the mob and resting gracefully on his cane smiling pleasantly and displaying his dress and purse into the very best advantage looked on in the most tranquil state imaginable for all that and quick and dexterous as he was had seen him recognize Hugh with the air of a patron he had no longer any eyes for the crowd but fixed his keen regards upon Sir John he stood in the same place and posture until the last man in the concourse had turned to the corner of the street then very deliberately took the blue cockade out of his hat put it carefully in his pocket ready for the next emergency refreshed himself with a pinch of snuff put up his box and was walking slowly off stopped and a lady's hand let down the glass Sir John's hat was off again immediately after a minute's conversation at the carriage window in which it was apparent that he was vastly entertaining on the subject of the mob he stepped lightly in and was driven away the secretary smiled but he had other thoughts to dwell upon and soon dismissed the topic dinner was brought him but he sent it down untasted and in restless pacings up and down the room and constant glances at the clock and many futile efforts to sit down and read or go to sleep or look out of the window consumed four weary hours when the dial told him thus much time had crept away he stole upstairs to the top of the house and coming out upon the roof sat down with his face towards the east heedless of the fresh air that blew upon his heated brow of the pleasant meadows from which he turned of the piles of roofs and chimneys upon which he looked of the smoke and rising mist he vainly sought to pierce of the shrill cries of children at their evening sports the distant home and turmoil of the town the cheerful country breath that rustled past to meet it and to droop and die he watched and watched till it was dark saved for the specks of light that twinkled in the streets below and far away and as the darkness deepened strained his gaze and grew more eager yet nothing but gloom in that direction still he muttered restlessly dog where is the redness in the sky you promised me end of chapter 53 chapter 54 of Barnaby Rudge this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens chapter 54 rumors of the prevailing disturbances had by this time begun to be pretty generally circulated through the towns and villages around London and the tidings were everywhere received with that appetite for the marvelous and love of the terrible which have probably been among the natural characteristics of mankind since the creation of the world these accounts however appeared to many persons at that day as they would to us at the present but that we know them to be matter of history so monstrous and improbable that a great number of those who were resident at a distance and who were credulous enough on other points were really unable to bring their minds to believe that such things could be and rejected the intelligence they received on all hands as wholly fabulous and absurd Mr. Willett, not so much perhaps on account of his having argued and settled the matter with himself as by reason of his constitutional obstinacy was one of those who positively refused to entertain the current topic for a moment on this very evening and perhaps at the very time when Gashford kept his solitary watch Old John was so red in the face with perpetually shaking his head in contradiction of his three ancient cronies and pot companions that he was quite a phenomenon to behold and lighted up the Maypole porch wherein they sat together like a monstrous carbuncle in a fairy tale Do you think, sir, said Mr. Willett looking hard at Solomon Daisy for it was his custom in case of personal altercation to fasten upon the smallest man in the party Do you think, sir, that I'm a born fool? No, no, Johnny, returned to Solomon looking round upon the little circle of which he formed a part We all know better than that You're no fool, Johnny, no, no Mr. Cobb and Mr. Park shook their heads in unison muttering No, no, Johnny, not you But as such compliments had usually the effect of making Mr. Willett rather more dogged than before he surveyed them with a look of deep disdain and returned for answer Then what do you mean by coming here telling me that this evening you're going to walk up to London together you three, you, and have the evidence of your own senses Aunt, said Mr. Willett putting his pipe in his mouth with an air of solemn disgust Aunt, the evidence of my senses enough for you But we haven't got it, Johnny pleaded Park humbly You haven't got it, sir, repeated Mr. Willett eyeing him from top to toe You haven't got it, sir You have got it, sir I told you that his blessed majesty King George III would no more stand a rioting and frolicking in his streets than he'd stand being crowed over by his own parliament Yes, Johnny, but that's your sense, not your senses said the adventurous Mr. Parkes How do you know, retorted John with great dignity You're contradicting pretty free you are, sir How do you know which it is? I'm not aware of where I ever told you, sir Mr. Parkes binding himself in the position got into metaphysics without exactly seeing his way out of them, stammered forth an apology and retreated from the argument. There then ensued a silence of some ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour, at the expiration of which period Mr. Willet was observed to rumble and shake with laughter, and presently remarked in reference to his late adversary, that he hoped he had tackled him enough. Thereupon Messers Cob and Daisy laughed and nodded, and Parks was looked upon as thoroughly and effectually put down. Do you suppose, of all this was true, that Mr. Hairedale would be constantly away from home as he is, said John, after another silence? Do you think he wouldn't be afraid to leave his house with them two young women in it, and only a couple of men or so? Eh, but then you know, returned Solomon Daisy, his house is a goodies way out of London, and they do say that the rioters won't go more than two miles, or three at the farthest off the stones. Besides, you know, some of the Catholic general folks have actually sent trinkets and such light down here for safety, at least so the story goes. The story goes, said Mr. Willet Testly. Yes, sir. The story goes that you saw a ghost last March, but nobody believes it. Well, said Solomon, rising to divert the attention of his two friends, who tittered at this retort, believed or disbelieved, it's true, and true or not, if we mean to go to London we must be going at once. So shake hands, Johnny, and good night. I shall shake hands, returned the landlord, putting his into his pockets, with no man as goes to London on such nonsensical errands. The three cronies were therefore reduced to the necessity of shaking his elbows. Having performed that ceremony and brought from the house their hats and sticks and grape coats, they bade him good night and departed, promising to bring him on the morrow full and true accounts of the real state of the city, and if it were quiet to give him the full merit of his victory. John Willet looked after them as they plotted along the road in the rich glow of a summer evening, and knocking the ashes out of his pipe, laughed inwardly at their folly until his sides were sore. When he had quite exhausted himself, which took some time for he laughed as slowly as he thought and spoke, he sat himself comfortably with his back to the house, put his legs upon the bench, then his apron over his face and fell sound asleep. How long he slept matters not, but it was for no brief space. For when he awoke, the rich light had faded, the somber hues of night were falling fast upon the landscape, and a few bright stars were already twinkling overhead. The birds were all at roost, the daisies on the green had closed their fairy hoods, the penny-suckles winding round the porch exhaled its perfume in a two-fold degree, as though it lost its coinus at that silent time and loved to shed its fragrance on the night. The ivy scarcely stirred its deep green leaves, how tranquil and how beautiful it was. Was there no sound in the air besides the gentle rustling of the trees and the grasshoppers' merry chirp? Hark! Something very faint and distant, not unlike the murmuring in a seashell. Now it grew louder, fainter now, and now it all together died away. Finally it came again, subsided, came once more, grew louder, fainter, swelled into a roar. It was on the road, and varied with its windings. All at once it burst into a distinct sound, the voices and the tramping feet of many men. It is questionable whether old John Willet, even then, would have thought of the rioters but for the cries of his cook and housemaid, who ran screaming upstairs and locked themselves into one of the old garrets, shrieking dismally when they had done so by way of rendering their place of refuge perfectly secret and secure. These two females did afterwards depone that Mr. Willet, in his consternation, uttered but one word and called that up the stairs in a centaurian voice six distinct times. But as this word was a monosyllable witch, however inoffensive when applied to the quadruped, it denotes, is highly reprehensible when used in connection with females of unimpeachable character, many persons were inclined to believe that the young women labored under some hallucination caused by excessive fear and that their ears deceived them. Be this as it may, John Willet, in whom the very uttermost extent of dull-headed perplexity supplied the place of courage, stationed himself in the porch and waited for their coming up. Once it dimly occurred to him that there was a kind of door to the house which had a lock and bolts, and at the same time some shadowy ideas of shutters to the lower windows flitted through his brain. But he stood stock still, looking down the road in the direction in which the noise was rapidly advancing, and did not so much as take his hands out of his pockets. He had not to wait long. A dark mass looming through a cloud of dust soon became visible. The mob quickened their pace, shouting and whooping like savages. They came rushing on pale mel, and in a few seconds he was bandied from hand to hand in the heart of a crowd of men. Hello, cried a voice he knew, as the man who spoke came cleaving through the throng. Where is he? Give him to me. Don't hurt him. How now, old Jack? Mr. Willet looked at him and saw it was Hugh, but he said nothing and thought nothing. These lads are thirsty and must drink, cried Hugh, thrusting him back towards the house. Bustle, Jack, bustle. Show us the best, the very best, the overproof that you keep for your own drinking, Jack. John faintly articulated the words, who's to pay? He says, who's to pay? cried Hugh, with a roar of laughter, which was loudly echoed by the crowd. Then, turning to John, he added, pay? Why, nobody. John stared round at the mass of faces, some grinning, some fierce, some lighted up by torches, some indistinct, some dusky and shadowy, some looking at him, some at his house, some at each other. And while he was, as he thought, in the very act of doing so, found himself without any consciousness of having moved in the bar, sitting down in an armchair and watching the destruction of his property as if it were some queer player or entertainment of an astonishing and stupefying nature, but having no reference to himself that he could make out at all. Yes, here is the bar, the bar that the boldest never entered without special invitation, the sanctuary, the mystery, the hallowed ground. Here it was, crammed with men, clubs, sticks, torches, pistols, filled with a deafening noise, oaths, shouts, screams, hootings, changed all at once into a bear garden, a madhouse, an infernal temple, men darting in and out by door and window, smashing the glass, turning the taps, drinking liquor out of china punch bowls, sitting astride of casks, smoking private and personal pipes, cutting down the sacred grove of lemons, hacking and hewing at the celebrated cheese, breaking open in viable drawers, putting things in their pockets which didn't belong to them, dividing his own money before his own eyes, wantonly wasting, breaking, pulling down and tearing up. Nothing quiet, nothing private. Men everywhere, above, below, overhead, in the bedrooms, in the kitchen, in the yard, in the stables, clambering in at windows when there were doors wide open, dropping out of windows when the stairs were handy, leaping over the banisters into chasms of passages, new faces and figures presenting themselves every instant, some yelling, some singing, some fighting, some breaking glass and crockery, some laying the dust with the liquor they couldn't drink, some ringing the bells till they pulled them down, others beating them with pokers till they beat them into fragments. More men still, more, more, more, swarming on like insects, noise, smoke, light, darkness, frolic, anger, laughter, groans, plunder, fear and ruin. Nearly all the time, while John looked on at this bewildering scene, Hugh kept near him, and though he was the loudest, wildest, most destructive villain there, he saved his old master's bones a score of times. Nay, even when Mr. Tappertit, excited by liquor, came up and in assertion of his prerogative, politely kicked John Willard on the shins, Hugh bade him return the compliment, and if old John had had sufficient presence of mind to understand this whispered direction and to profit by it, he might no doubt under Hugh's protection have done so with impunity. At length, the band began to reassemble outside the house and to call to those within to join them for the losing time. These murmurs increasing and detaining a high pitch, Hugh and some of those who yet lingered in the bar and who plainly were the leaders of the troupe took counsel together apart as to what was to be done with John to keep him quiet until their chigwell work was over. Some proposed to set the house on fire and leave him in it. Others that he should be reduced to a state of temporary insensibility by knocking on the head. Others that he should be sworn to sit where he was until tomorrow at the same hour. Others again that he should be gagged and taken off with them under a sufficient guard. All these propositions being overruled, it was concluded at last to bind him in his chair and the word was passed for Dennis. Looky here, Jack, said Hugh, striding up to him. We are going to tie you hand and foot, but otherwise you won't be hurt, do you hear? John Willett looked at another man as if he didn't know which was the speaker and muttered something about an ordinary every Sunday at two o'clock. You won't be hurt, I tell you, Jack. Do you hear me, roared Hugh, impressing the assurance upon him by means of a heavy blow on the back? He's so dead scared he's wool gathering, I think. Give him a drop of something to drink here. Hand over, one of you. A glass of liquor being passed forward, Hugh poured the contents down old John's throat. Mr. Willett feebly smacked his lips, thrust his hand into his pocket and inquired what was to pay, adding as he looked vacantly round that he believed there was a trifle of broken glass. He's out of his senses for the time, it's my belief, said Hugh, after shaking him without any visible effect upon his system until his keys rattled in his pocket. Where's that Dennis? The word was again passed, and presently, Mr. Dennis, with a long cord bound about his middle, something after the manner of a friar, came hurrying in, attended by a bodyguard of half a dozen of his men. Come, be alive here, cried Hugh, stamping his foot upon the ground. Make haste. Dennis, with a wink and a nod, unwound the cord from about his person and raising his eyes to the ceiling, and looked all over it and round the walls and cornice with a curious eye, then shook his head. Move, man, can't you, cried Hugh, with another impatient stamp of his foot? Are we to wait here till the cry is gone for ten miles round and our work's interrupted? It's all very fine talking, brother, answered Dennis, stepping towards him, but unless, and here he whispered in his ear, unless we do it over the door, it can't be done at all in this here room. What can't, Hugh demanded. What can't, retorted Dennis, by the old man can't. Well, you weren't going to hang him, cried Hugh. No, brother, returned to the hangman with a stare. What else? Hugh made no answer, but snatching the rope from his companion's hand proceeded to bind all John himself, but his very first move was so bungling and unskillful that Mr. Dennis entreated, almost with tears in his eyes, that he might be permitted to perform the duty. Hugh, consenting, he achieved it in a twinkling. There, he said, looking more and fully at John Willet, who displayed no more emotion in his bonds than he had shown out of them. That's what I call pretty and workman-like. He's quite a pickter now, but brother, just a word with you, now that he's ready, trust, as one may say, wouldn't it be better for all parties if we was to work him off? It would read uncommon well in the newspapers, it would indeed. The public would think a great deal more on this. Hugh, inferring what his companion meant, rather from his gestures than from his technical mode of expressing himself, to which, as he was ignorant of his calling, he wanted the clue, rejected this proposition for the second time and gave the word forward, which was echoed by a hundred voices from without. To the Warren, shouted Dennis as he ran out, followed by the rest, a witness's house, my lads. A loud yell followed, and the whole throng hurried off, mad for pillage and destruction. Hugh lingered behind for a few moments to stimulate himself with more drink and to set all the taps running, a few of which had accidentally been spared. Then, glancing round, the despoiled and plundered room through whose shattered wind of the rioters that thrust the maypole itself, for even that had been sawn down, lighted a torch, clapped the mute and motionless John Willard on the back, and waving his light above his head and uttering a fierce shout hastened after his companions. End of chapter 54