barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第148节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Presently； they marched into the yard； and halted。 The
commanding…officer despatched a messenger to the horsemen；
one of whom came riding back。 Some words passed between
them； and they glanced at Barnaby； who well remembered the
man he had unhorsed at Westminster； and saw him now before his
eyes。 The man being speedily dismissed； saluted； and rode back to
his comrades； who were drawn up apart at a short distance。
The officer then gave the word to prime and load。 The heavy
ringing of the musket…stocks upon the ground； and the sharp and
rapid rattling of the ramrods in their barrels； were a kind of relief
to Barnaby； deadly though he knew the purport of such sounds to
be。 When this was done； other commands were given； and the
soldiers instantaneously formed in single file all round the house
and stables； completely encircling them in every part； at a
distance； perhaps； of some half…dozen yards； at least that seemed
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 616…
Barnaby Rudge 617
in Barnaby’s eyes to be about the space left between himself and
those who confronted him。 The horsemen remained drawn up by
themselves as before。
The two gentlemen in private clothes who had kept aloof； now
rode forward； one on either side the officer。 The proclamation
having been produced and read by one of them； the officer called
on Barnaby to surrender。
He made no answer； but stepping within the door； before which
he had kept guard； held his pole crosswise to protect it。 In the
midst of a profound silence； he was again called upon to yield。
Still he offered no reply。 Indeed he had enough to do； to run his
eye backward and forward along the half…dozen men who
immediately fronted him； and settle hurriedly within himself at
which of them he would strike first； when they pressed on him。 He
caught the eye of one in the centre； and resolved to hew that fellow
down； though he died for it。
Again there was a dead silence； and again the same voice called
upon him to deliver himself up。
Next moment he was back in the stable； dealing blows about
him like a madman。 Two of the men lay stretched at his feet： the
one he had marked； dropped first—he had a thought for that； even
in the hot blood and hurry of the struggle。 Another blow—another！
Down； mastered； wounded in the breast by a heavy blow from the
butt…end of a gun （he saw the weapon in the act of falling）—
breathless—and a prisoner。
An exclamation of surprise from the officer recalled him； in
some degree； to himself。 He looked round。 Grip； after working in
secret all the afternoon； and with redoubled vigour while
everybody’s attention was distracted； had plucked away the straw
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 617…
Barnaby Rudge 618
from Hugh’s bed； and turned up the loose ground with his iron
bill。 The hole had been recklessly filled to the brim； and was
merely sprinkled with earth。 Golden cups； spoons； candlesticks；
coined guineas—all the riches were revealed。
They brought spades and a sack； dug up everything that was
hidden there； and carried away more than two men could lift。
They handcuffed him and bound his arms； searched him； and took
away all he had。 Nobody questioned or reproached him； or seemed
to have much curiosity about him。 The two men he had stunned；
were carried off by their companions in the same business…like
way in which everything else was done。 Finally； he was left under
a guard of four soldiers with fixed bayonets； while the officer
directed in person the search of the house and the other buildings
connected with it。
This was soon completed。 The soldiers formed again in the
yard； he was marched out； with his guard about him； and ordered
to fall in； where a space was left。 The others closed up all round；
and so they moved away； with the prisoner in the centre。
When they came into the streets； he felt he was a sight； and
looking up as they passed quickly along； could see people running
to the windows a little too late； and throwing up the sashes to look
after him。 Sometimes he met a staring face beyond the heads
about him； or under the arms of his conductors； or peering down
upon him from a waggon…top or coach…box； but this was all he saw；
being surrounded by so many men。 The very noises of the streets
seemed muffled and subdued； and the air came stale and hot upon
him； like the sickly breath of an oven。
Tramp； tramp。 Tramp； tramp。 Heads erect； shoulders square；
every man stepping in exact time—all so orderly and regular—
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 618…
Barnaby Rudge 619
nobody looking at him—nobody seeming conscious of his
presence；—he could hardly believe he was a Prisoner。 But at the
word； though only thought； not spoken； he felt the handcuffs
galling his wrists； the cord pressing his arms to his sides： the
loaded guns levelled at his head； and those cold； bright； sharp；
shining points turned towards him： the mere looking down at
which； now that he was bound and helpless； made the warm
current of his life run cold。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 619…
Barnaby Rudge 620
Chapter 58
hey were not long in reaching the barracks； for the officer
who commanded the party was desirous to avoid rousing
T
the people by the display of military force in the streets；
and was humanely anxious to give as little opportunity as possible
for any attempt at rescue； knowing that it must lead to bloodshed
and loss of life； and that if the civil authorities by whom he was
accompanied； empowered him to order his men to fire； many
innocent persons would probably fall； whom curiosity or idleness
had attracted to the spot。 He therefore led the party briskly on；
avoiding with a merciful prudence the more public and crowded
thoroughfares； and pursuing those which he deemed least likely to
be infested by disorderly persons。 This wise proceeding not only
enabled them to gain their quarters without any interruption； but
completely baffled a body of rioters who had assembled in one of
the main streets； through which it was considered certain they
would pass； and who remained gathered together for the purpose
of releasing the prisoner from their hands； long after they had
deposited him in a place of security； closed the barrack…gates； and
set a double guard at every entrance for its better protection。
Arrived at this place； poor Barnaby was marched into a stone…
floored room； where there was a very powerful smell of tobacco； a
strong thorough draught of air； and a great wooden bedstead；
large enough for a score of men。 Several soldiers in undress were
lounging about； or eating from tin cans； military accoutrements
dangled on rows of pegs along the whitewashed wall； and some
half…dozen men lay fast asleep upon their backs； snoring in
concert。 After remaining here just long enough to note these
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 620…
Barnaby Rudge 621
things； he was marched out again； and conveyed across the
parade…ground to another portion of the building。
Perhaps a man never sees so much at a glance as when he is in
a sit
