barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第155节
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all night in a place so weak and open to attack。 Yielding to this
reasoning； and to their persuasions； Hugh consented to turn back
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and to repair to Fleet Market； for which place； it seemed； a few of
their boldest associates had shaped their course； on receiving the
same intelligence。
Feeling their strength recruited and their spirits roused； now
that there was a new necessity for action； they hurried away； quite
forgetful of the fatigue under which they had been sinking but a
few minutes before； and soon arrived at their new place of
destination。
Fleet Market； at that time； was a long irregular row of wooden
sheds and penthouses； occupying the centre of what is now called
Farringdon Street。 They were jumbled together in a most
unsightly fashion； in the middle of the road； to the great
obstruction of the thoroughfare and the annoyance of passengers；
who were fain to make their way； as they best could； among carts；
baskets； barrows； trucks； casks； bulks； and benches； and to jostle
with porters； hucksters； waggoners； and a motley crowd of buyers；
sellers； pick…pockets； vagrants； and idlers。 The air was perfumed
with the stench of rotten leaves and faded fruit； the refuse of the
butchers’ stalls； and offal and garbage of a hundred kinds。 It was
indispensable to most public conveniences in those days； that they
should be public nuisances likewise； and Fleet Market maintained
the principle to admiration。
To this place； perhaps because its sheds and baskets were a
tolerable substitute for beds； or perhaps because it afforded the
means of a hasty barricade in case of need； many of the rioters had
straggled； not only that night； but for two or three nights before。 It
was now broad day； but the morning being cold； a group of them
were gathered round a fire in a public…house； drinking hot purl；
and smoking pipes； and planning new schemes for to…morrow。
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Hugh and his two friends being known to most of these men；
were received with signal marks of approbation； and inducted into
the most honourable seats。 The room…door was closed and
fastened to keep intruders at a distance； and then they proceeded
to exchange news。
‘The soldiers have taken possession of The Boot； I hear；’ said
Hugh。 ‘Who knows anything about it？’
Several cried that they did； but the majority of the company
having been engaged in the assault upon the Warren； and all
present having been concerned in one or other of the night’s
expeditions； it proved that they knew no more than Hugh himself；
having been merely warned by each other； or by the scout； and
knowing nothing of their own knowledge。
‘We left a man on guard there to…day；’ said Hugh； looking round
him； ‘who is not here。 You know who it is—Barnaby； who brought
the soldier down； at Westminster。 Has any man seen or heard of
him？’
They shook their heads； and murmured an answer in the
negative； as each man looked round and appealed to his fellow；
when a noise was heard without； and a man was heard to say that
he wanted Hugh—that he must see Hugh。
‘He is but one man；’ cried Hugh to those who kept the door； ‘let
him come in。’
‘Ay； ay！’ muttered the others。 ‘Let him come in。 Let him come
in。’
The door was accordingly unlocked and opened。 A one…armed
man； with his head and face tied up with a bloody cloth； as though
he had been severely beaten； his clothes torn； and his remaining
hand grasping a thick stick； rushed in among them； and panting
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for breath； demanded which was Hugh。
‘Here he is；’ replied the person he inquired for。 ‘I am Hugh。
What do you want with me？’
‘I have a message for you；’ said the man。 ‘You know one
Barnaby。’
‘What of him？ Did he send the message？’
‘Yes。 He’s taken。 He’s in one of the strong cells in Newgate。 He
defended himself as well as he could； but was overpowered by
numbers。 That’s his message。’
‘When did you see him？’ asked Hugh； hastily。
‘On his way to prison； where he was taken by a party of soldiers。
They took a by…road； and not the one we expected。 I was one of the
few who tried to rescue him； and he called to me； and told me to
tell Hugh where he was。 We made a good struggle； though it failed。
Look here！’
He pointed to his dress and to his bandaged head； and still
panting for breath； glanced round the room； then faced towards
Hugh again。
‘I know you by sight；’ he said； ‘for I was in the crowd on Friday；
and on Saturday； and yesterday； but I didn’t know your name。
You’re a bold fellow； I know。 So is he。 He fought like a lion tonight；
but it was of no use。 I did my best； considering that I want this
limb。’
Again he glanced inquisitively round the room or seemed to do
so； for his face was nearly hidden by the bandage—and again
facing sharply towards Hugh； grasped his stick as if he half
expected to be set upon； and stood on the defensive。
If he had any such apprehension； however； he was speedily
reassured by the demeanour of all present。 None thought of the
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bearer of the tidings。 He was lost in the news he brought。 Oaths；
threats； and execrations； were vented on all sides。 Some cried that
if they bore this tamely； another day would see them all in jail；
some； that they should have rescued the other prisoners； and this
would not have happened。 One man cried in a loud voice； ‘Who’ll
follow me to Newgate！’ and there was a loud shout and general
rush towards the door。
But Hugh and Dennis stood with their backs against it； and
kept them back； until the clamour had so far subsided that their
voices could be heard； when they called to them together that to
go now； in broad day； would be madness； and that if they waited
until night and arranged a plan of attack； they might release； not
only their own companions； but all the prisoners； and burn down
the jail。
‘Not that jail alone；’ cried Hugh； ‘but every jail in London。 They
shall have no place to put their prisoners in。 We’ll burn them all
down； make bonfires of them every one！ Here！’ he cried； catching
at the hangman’s hand。 ‘Let all who’re men here； join with us。
Shake hands upon it。 Barnaby out of jail； and not a jail left
standing！ Who joins？’
Every man there。 And they swore a great oath to release their
friends from Newgate next night； to force the doors and burn the
jail； or perish in the fire themselves。
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Chapter 61
n that same night—events so crowd upon each other in
convulsed and distracted times； that more than the
O
stirring incidents of a whole life often become compressed
into the compass of four…and…twenty hours—on that same night；
Mr Haredale； having strongly bound his prisoner； with the
assistance of the sexton； and forced him to mount his horse；
conducted him to Chigwell； bent upon procuring a conveyance to
London
