Theraven，placinghisheadupontheground，lookedathismastersideways，asthoughhewouldhavesaid，’Saythatagain！’
Perfectlyunderstandinghisdesire，Barnabyrepeatedthephraseagreatmanytimes。Thebirdlistenedwithprofoundattention;
sometimesrepeatingthepopularcryinalowvoice，asiftocomparethetwo，andtryifitwouldatallhelphimtothisnewaccomplishment;sometimesflappinghiswings，orbarking;andsometimesinakindofdesperationdrawingamultitudeofcorks，withextraordinaryviciousness。
Barnabywassointentuponhisfavourite，thathewasnotatfirstawareoftheapproachoftwopersonsonhorseback，whowereridingatafoot-pace，andcomingstraighttowardshispost。Whenheperceivedthem，however，whichhedidwhentheywerewithinsomefiftyyardsofhim，hejumpedhastilyup，andorderingGripwithindoors，stoodwithbothhandsonhisstaff，waitinguntilheshouldknowwhethertheywerefriendsorfoes。
Hehadhardlydoneso，whenheobservedthatthosewhoadvancedwereagentlemanandhisservant;almostatthesamemomentherecognisedLordGeorgeGordon，beforewhomhestooduncovered，withhiseyesturnedtowardstheground。
’Goodday！’saidLordGeorge，notreininginhishorseuntilhewasclosebesidehim。’Well！’
’Allquiet，sir，allsafe！’criedBarnaby。’Therestareaway——
theywentbythatpath——thatone。Agrandparty！’
’Ay？’saidLordGeorge，lookingthoughtfullyathim。’Andyou？’
’Oh！Theyleftmeheretowatch——tomountguard——tokeepeverythingsecuretilltheycomeback。I’lldoit，sir，foryoursake。You’reagoodgentleman;akindgentleman——ay，youare。
Therearemanyagainstyou，butwe’llbeamatchforthem，neverfear！’
’What’sthat？’saidLordGeorge——pointingtotheravenwhowaspeepingoutofthestable-door——butstilllookingthoughtfully，andinsomeperplexity，itseemed，atBarnaby。
’Why，don’tyouknow！’retortedBarnaby，withawonderinglaugh。
’NotknowwhatHEis！Abird，tobesure。Mybird——myfriend——
Grip。’
’Adevil，akettle，aGrip，aPolly，aProtestant，noPopery！’
criedtheraven。
’Though，indeed，’addedBarnaby，layinghishandupontheneckofLordGeorge’shorse，andspeakingsoftly:’youhadgoodreasontoaskmewhatheis，forsometimesitpuzzlesme——andIamusedtohim——tothinkhe’sonlyabird。He’smybrother，Gripis——alwayswithme——alwaystalking——alwaysmerry——eh，Grip？’
Theravenansweredbyanaffectionatecroak，andhoppingonhismaster’sarm，whichhehelddownwardforthatpurpose，submittedwithanairofperfectindifferencetobefondled，andturnedhisrestless，curiouseye，nowuponLordGeorge，andnowuponhisman。
LordGeorge，bitinghisnailsinadiscomfitedmanner，regardedBarnabyforsometimeinsilence;thenbeckoningtohisservant，said:
’Comehither，John。’
JohnGruebytouchedhishat，andcame。
’Haveyoueverseenthisyoungmanbefore？’hismasteraskedinalowvoice。
’Twice，mylord，’saidJohn。’IsawhiminthecrowdlastnightandSaturday。’
’Did——diditseemtoyouthathismannerwasatallwildorstrange？’LordGeorgedemanded，faltering。
’Mad，’saidJohn，withemphaticbrevity。
’Andwhydoyouthinkhimmad，sir？’saidhismaster，speakinginapeevishtone。’Don’tusethatwordtoofreely。Whydoyouthinkhimmad？’
’Mylord，’JohnGruebyanswered，’lookathisdress，lookathiseyes，lookathisrestlessway，hearhimcry“NoPopery！“Mad，mylord。’
’Sobecauseonemandressesunlikeanother，’returnedhisangrymaster，glancingathimself;’andhappenstodifferfromothermeninhiscarriageandmanner，andtoadvocateagreatcausewhichthecorruptandirreligiousdesert，heistobeaccountedmad，ishe？’
’Stark，staring，raving，roaringmad，mylord，’returnedtheunmovedJohn。
’Doyousaythistomyface？’criedhismaster，turningsharplyuponhim。
’Toanyman，mylord，whoasksme，’answeredJohn。
’MrGashford，Ifind，wasright，’saidLordGeorge;’Ithoughthimprejudiced，thoughIoughttohaveknownamanlikehimbetterthantohavesupposeditpossible！’
’IshallneverhaveMrGashford’sgoodword，mylord，’repliedJohn，touchinghishatrespectfully，’andIdon’tcovetit。’
’Youareanill-conditioned，mostungratefulfellow，’saidLordGeorge:’aspy，foranythingIknow。MrGashfordisperfectlycorrect，asImighthavefeltconvincedhewas。Ihavedonewrongtoretainyouinmyservice。Itisatacitinsulttohimasmychoiceandconfidentialfriendtodoso，rememberingthecauseyousidedwith，onthedayhewasmalignedatWestminster。Youwillleavemeto-night——nay，assoonaswereachhome。Thesoonerthebetter。’
’Ifitcomestothat，Isaysotoo，mylord。LetMrGashfordhavehiswill。Astomybeingaspy，mylord，youknowmebetterthantobelieveit，Iamsure。Idon’tknowmuchaboutcauses。Mycauseisthecauseofonemanagainsttwohundred;andIhopeitalwayswillbe。’
’Youhavesaidquiteenough，’returnedLordGeorge，motioninghimtogoback。’Idesiretohearnomore。’
’Ifyou’llletmehaveanotherword，mylord，’returnedJohnGrueby，’I’dgivethissillyfellowacautionnottostayherebyhimself。Theproclamationisinagoodmanyhandsalready，andit’swellknownthathewasconcernedinthebusinessitrelatesto。Hehadbettergettoaplaceofsafetyifhecan，poorcreature。’
’Youhearwhatthismansays？’criedLordGeorge，addressingBarnaby，whohadlookedonandwonderedwhilethisdialoguepassed。
’Hethinksyoumaybeafraidtoremainuponyourpost，andarekepthereperhapsagainstyourwill。Whatdoyousay？’
’Ithink，youngman，’saidJohn，inexplanation，’thatthesoldiersmayturnoutandtakeyou;andthatiftheydo，youwillcertainlybehungbythenecktillyou’redead——dead——dead。AndIthinkyouhadbettergofromhere，asfastasyoucan。That’swhatIthink。’
’He’sacoward，Grip，acoward！’criedBarnaby，puttingtheravenontheground，andshoulderinghisstaff。’Letthemcome！Gordonforever！Letthemcome！’
’Ay！’saidLordGeorge，’letthem！Letusseewhowillventuretoattackapowerlikeours;thesolemnleagueofawholepeople。
THISamadman！Youhavesaidwell，verywell。Iamproudtobetheleaderofsuchmenasyou。’
Bamaby’sheartswelledwithinhisbosomasheheardthesewords。
HetookLordGeorge’shandandcarriedittohislips;pattedhishorse’screst，asiftheaffectionandadmirationhehadconceivedforthemanextendedtotheanimalherode;thenunfurlinghisflag，andproudlywavingit，resumedhispacingupanddown。
LordGeorge，withakindlingeyeandglowingcheek，tookoffhishat，andflourishingitabovehishead，badehimexultinglyFarewell！——thencanteredoffatabriskpace;afterglancingangrilyroundtoseethathisservantfollowed。HonestJohnsetspurstohishorseandrodeafterhismaster，butnotbeforehehadagainwarnedBarnabytoretreat，withmanysignificantgestures，whichindeedhecontinuedtomake，andBarnabytoresist，untilthewindingsoftheroadconcealedthemfromeachother’sview。
Lefttohimselfagainwithastillhighersenseoftheimportanceofhispost，andstimulatedtoenthusiasmbythespecialnoticeandencouragementofhisleader，Barnabywalkedtoandfroinadelicioustranceratherthanasawakingman。Thesunshinewhichprevailedaroundwasinhismind。Hehadbutonedesireungratified。Ifshecouldonlyseehimnow！
Thedayworeon;itsheatwasgentlygivingplacetothecoolofevening;alightwindsprungup，fanninghislonghair，andmakingthebannerrustlepleasantlyabovehishead。Therewasafreedomandfreshnessinthesoundandinthetime，whichchimedexactlywithhismood。Hewashappierthanever。
Hewasleaningonhisstafflookingtowardsthedecliningsun，andreflectingwithasmilethathestoodsentinelatthatmomentoverburiedgold，whentwoorthreefiguresappearedinthedistance，makingtowardsthehouseatarapidpace，andmotioningwiththeirhandsasthoughtheyurgeditsinmatestoretreatfromsomeapproachingdanger。Astheydrewnearer，theybecamemoreearnestintheirgestures;andtheywerenosoonerwithinhearing，thantheforemostamongthemcriedthatthesoldierswerecomingup。
Atthesewords，Barnabyfurledhisflag，andtieditroundthepole。Hisheartbeathighwhilehedidso，buthehadnomorefearorthoughtofretreatingthanthepoleitself。Thefriendlystragglershurriedpasthim，aftergivinghimnoticeofhisdanger，andquicklypassedintothehouse，wheretheutmostconfusionimmediatelyprevailed。Asthosewithinhastilyclosedthewindowsandthedoors，theyurgedhimbylooksandsignstoflywithoutlossoftime，andcalledtohimmanytimestodoso;butheonlyshookhisheadindignantlyinanswer，andstoodthefirmeronhispost。Findingthathewasnottobepersuaded，theytookcareofthemselves;andleavingtheplacewithonlyoneoldwomaninit，speedilywithdrew。
Asyettherehadbeennosymptomofthenewshavinganybetterfoundationthaninthefearsofthosewhobroughtit，butTheBoothadnotbeendesertedfiveminutes，whenthereappeared，comingacrossthefields，abodyofmenwho，itwaseasytosee，bytheglitteroftheirarmsandornamentsinthesun，andbytheirorderlyandregularmodeofadvancing——fortheycameonasoneman——weresoldiers。Inaverylittletime，BarnabyknewthattheywereastrongdetachmentoftheFootGuards，havingalongwiththemtwogentlemeninprivateclothes，andasmallpartyofHorse;thelatterbroughtuptherear，andwerenotinnumbermorethansixoreight。
Theyadvancedsteadily;neitherquickeningtheirpaceastheycamenearer，norraisinganycry，norshowingtheleastemotionoranxiety。Thoughthiswasamatterofcourseinthecaseofregulartroops，eventoBarnaby，therewassomethingparticularlyimpressiveanddisconcertinginittooneaccustomedtothenoiseandtumultofanundisciplinedmob。Forallthat，hestoodhisgroundnotawhitthelessresolutely，andlookedonundismayed。
Presently，theymarchedintotheyard，andhalted。Thecommanding-officerdespatchedamessengertothehorsemen，oneofwhomcameridingback。Somewordspassedbetweenthem，andtheyglancedatBarnaby;whowellrememberedthemanhehadunhorsedatWestminster，andsawhimnowbeforehiseyes。Themanbeingspeedilydismissed，saluted，androdebacktohiscomrades，whoweredrawnupapartatashortdistance。
Theofficerthengavethewordtoprimeandload。Theheavyringingofthemusket-stocksupontheground，andthesharpandrapidrattlingoftheramrodsintheirbarrels，wereakindofrelieftoBatnahy，deadlythoughheknewthepurportofsuchsoundstobe。Whenthiswasdone，othercommandsweregiven，andthesoldiersinstantaneouslyformedinsinglefileallroundthehouseandstables;completelyencirclingthemineverypart，atadistance，perhaps，ofsomehalf-dozenyards;atleastthatseemedinBarnaby’seyestobeaboutthespaceleftbetweenhimselfandthosewhoconfrontedhim。Thehorsemenremaineddrawnupbythemselvesasbefore。
Thetwogentlemeninprivateclotheswhohadkeptaloof，nowrodeforward，oneoneithersidetheofficer。Theproclamationhavingbeenproducedandreadbyoneofthem，theofficercalledonBarnabytosurrender。
Hemadenoanswer，butsteppingwithinthedoor，beforewhichhehadkeptguard，heldhispolecrosswisetoprotectit。Inthemidstofaprofoundsilence，hewasagaincalledupontoyield。
Stillheofferednoreply。Indeedhehadenoughtodo，torunhiseyebackwardandforwardalongthehalf-dozenmenwhoimmediatelyfrontedhim，andsettlehurriedlywithinhimselfatwhichofthemhewouldstrikefirst，whentheypressedonhim。Hecaughttheeyeofoneinthecentre，andresolvedtohewthatfellowdown，thoughhediedforit。
Againtherewasadeadsilence，andagainthesamevoicecalleduponhimtodeliverhimselfup。
Nextmomenthewasbackinthestable，dealingblowsabouthimlikeamadman。Twoofthemenlaystretchedathisfeet:theonehehadmarked，droppedfirst——hehadathoughtforthat，eveninthehotbloodandhurryofthestruggle。Anotherblow——another！Down，mastered，woundedinthebreastbyaheavyblowfromthebutt-endofagunhesawtheweaponintheactoffalling——breathless——andaprisoner。
Anexclamationofsurprisefromtheofficerrecalledhim，insomedegree，tohimself。Helookedround。Grip，afterworkinginsecretalltheafternoon，andwithredoubledvigourwhileeverybody’sattentionwasdistracted，hadpluckedawaythestrawfromHugh’sbed，andturneduptheloosegroundwithhisironbill。
Theholehadbeenrecklesslyfilledtothebrim，andwasmerelysprinkledwithearth。Goldencups，spoons，candlesticks，coinedguineas——allthericheswererevealed。
Theybroughtspadesandasack;dugupeverythingthatwashiddenthere;andcarriedawaymorethantwomencouldlift。Theyhandcuffedhimandboundhisarms，searchedhim，andtookawayallhehad。Nobodyquestionedorreproachedhim，orseemedtohavemuchcuriosityabouthim。Thetwomenhehadstunned，werecarriedoffbytheircompanionsinthesamebusiness-likewayinwhicheverythingelsewasdone。Finally，hewasleftunderaguardoffoursoldierswithfixedbayonets，whiletheofficerdirectedinpersonthesearchofthehouseandtheotherbuildingsconnectedwithit。
Thiswassooncompleted。Thesoldiersformedagainintheyard;hewasmarchedout，withhisguardabouthim;andorderedtofallin，whereaspacewasleft。Theothersclosedupallround，andsotheymovedaway，withtheprisonerinthecentre。
Whentheycameintothestreets，hefelthewasasight;andlookingupastheypassedquicklyalong，couldseepeoplerunningtothewindowsalittletoolate，andthrowingupthesashestolookafterhim。Sometimeshemetastaringfacebeyondtheheadsabouthim，orunderthearmsofhisconductors，orpeeringdownuponhimfromawaggon-toporcoach-box;butthiswasallhesaw，beingsurroundedbysomanymen。Theverynoisesofthestreetsseemedmuffledandsubdued;andtheaircamestaleandhotuponhim，likethesicklybreathofanoven。
Tramp，tramp。Tramp，tramp。Headserect，shoulderssquare，everymansteppinginexacttime——allsoorderlyandregular——nobodylookingathim——nobodyseemingconsciousofhispresence，——hecouldhardlybelievehewasaPrisoner。Butattheword，thoughonlythought，notspoken，hefeltthehandcuffsgallinghiswrists，thecordpressinghisarmstohissides:theloadedgunslevelledathishead;andthosecold，bright，sharp，shiningpointsturnedtowardshim:themerelookingdownatwhich，nowthathewasboundandhelpless，madethewarmcurrentofhisliferuncold。
Chapter58
Theywerenotlonginreachingthebarracks，fortheofficerwhocommandedthepartywasdesiroustoavoidrousingthepeoplebythedisplayofmilitaryforceinthestreets，andwashumanelyanxioustogiveaslittleopportunityaspossibleforanyattemptatrescue;knowingthatitmustleadtobloodshedandlossoflife，andthatifthecivilauthoritiesbywhomhewasaccompanied，empoweredhimtoorderhismentofire，manyinnocentpersonswouldprobablyfall，whomcuriosityoridlenesshadattractedtothespot。Hethereforeledthepartybrisklyon，avoidingwithamercifulprudencethemorepublicandcrowdedthoroughfares，andpursuingthosewhichhedeemedleastlikelytobeinfestedbydisorderlypersons。Thiswiseproceedingnotonlyenabledthemtogaintheirquarterswithoutanyinterruption，butcompletelybaffledabodyofrioterswhohadassembledinoneofthemainstreets，throughwhichitwasconsideredcertaintheywouldpass，andwhoremainedgatheredtogetherforthepurposeofreleasingtheprisonerfromtheirhands，longaftertheyhaddepositedhiminaplaceofsecurity，closedthebarrack-gates，andsetadoubleguardateveryentranceforitsbetterprotection。
Arrivedatthisplace，poorBarnabywasmarchedintoastone-
flooredroom，wheretherewasaverypowerfulsmelloftobacco，astrongthoroughdraughtofair，andagreatwoodenbedstead，largeenoughforascoreofmen。Severalsoldiersinundresswereloungingabout，oreatingfromtincans;militaryaccoutrementsdangledonrowsofpegsalongthewhitewashedwall;andsomehalf-
dozenmenlayfastasleepupontheirbacks，snoringinconcert。
Afterremainingherejustlongenoughtonotethesethings，hewasmarchedoutagain，andconveyedacrosstheparade-groundtoanotherportionofthebuilding。
Perhapsamanneverseessomuchataglanceaswhenheisinasituationofextremity。Thechancesareahundredtoone，thatifBarnabyhadloungedinatthegatetolookabouthim，hewouldhaveloungedoutagainwithaveryimperfectideaoftheplace，andwouldhaverememberedverylittleaboutit。Butashewastakenhandcuffedacrossthegravelledarea，nothingescapedhisnotice。
Thedry，aridlookofthedustysquare，andofthebarebrickbuilding;theclotheshangingatsomeofthewindows;andthemenintheirshirt-sleevesandbraces，lollingwithhalftheirbodiesoutoftheothers;thegreensun-blindsattheofficers’quarters，andthelittlescantytreesinfront;thedrummer-boyspractisinginadistantcourtyard;themenatdrillontheparade;thetwosoldierscarryingabasketbetweenthem，whowinkedtoeachotherashewentby，andslilypointedtotheirthroats;thespruceserjeantwhohurriedpastwithacaneinhishand，andunderhisarmaclaspedbookwithavellumcover;thefellowsintheground-
floorrooms，furbishingandbrushinguptheirdifferentarticlesofdress，whostoppedtolookathim，andwhosevoicesastheyspoketogetherechoedloudlythroughtheemptygalleriesandpassages;——
everything，downtothestandofmusketsbeforetheguard-house，andthedrumwithapipe-clayedbeltattached，inonecorner，impresseditselfuponhisobservation，asthoughhehadnoticedtheminthesameplaceahundredtimes，orhadbeenawholedayamongthem，inplaceofonebriefhurriedminute。
Hewastakenintoasmallpavedbackyard，andtheretheyopenedagreatdoor，platedwithiron，andpiercedsomefivefeetabovethegroundwithafewholestoletinairandlight。Intothisdungeonhewaswalkedstraightway;andhavinglockedhimupthere，andplacedasentryoverhim，theylefthimtohismeditations。
Thecell，orblackhole，forithadthosewordspaintedonthedoor，wasverydark，andhavingrecentlyaccommodatedadrunkendeserter，bynomeansclean。Barnabyfelthiswaytosomestrawatthefartherend，andlookingtowardsthedoor，triedtoaccustomhimselftothegloom，which，comingfromthebrightsunshineoutofdoors，wasnotaneasytask。
Therewasakindofporticoorcolonnadeoutside，andthisobstructedeventhelittlelightthatatthebestcouldhavefounditswaythroughthesmallaperturesinthedoor。ThefootstepsofthesentinelechoedmonotonouslyashepaceditsstonepavementtoandfroremindingBarnabyofthewatchhehadsolatelykepthimself;andashepassedandrepassedthedoor，hemadethecellforaninstantsoblackbytheinterpositionofhisbody，thathisgoingawayagainseemedliketheappearanceofanewrayoflight，andwasquiteacircumstancetolookfor。
Whentheprisonerhadsatsometimeupontheground，gazingatthechinks，andlisteningtotheadvancingandrecedingfootstepsofhisguard，themanstoodstilluponhispost。Barnaby，quiteunabletothink，ortospeculateonwhatwouldbedonewithhim，hadbeenlulledintoakindofdozebyhisregularpace;buthisstoppingrousedhim;andthenhebecameawarethattwomenwereinconversationunderthecolonnade，andverynearthedoorofhiscell。
Howlongtheyhadbeentalkingthere，hecouldnottell，forhehadfallenintoanunconsciousnessofhisrealposition，andwhenthefootstepsceased，wasansweringaloudsomequestionwhichseemedtohavebeenputtohimbyHughinthestable，thoughofthefanciedpurport，eitherofquestionorreply，notwithstandingthatheawokewiththelatteronhislips，hehadnorecollectionwhatever。Thefirstwordsthatreachedhisears，werethese:
’Whyishebroughtherethen，ifhehastobetakenawayagainsosoon？’
’Whywherewouldyouhavehimgo！Damme，he’snotassafeanywhereasamongtheking’stroops，ishe？WhatWOULDyoudowithhim？
Wouldyouhandhimovertoapackofcowardlycivilians，thatshakeintheirshoestilltheywearthesolesout，withtremblingatthethreatsoftheragamuffinshebelongsto？’
’That’strueenough。’
’Trueenough！——I’lltellyouwhat。Iwish，TomGreen，thatIwasacommissionedinsteadofanon-commissionedofficer，andthatIhadthecommandoftwocompanies——onlytwocompanies——ofmyownregiment。Callmeouttostoptheseriots——givemetheneedfulauthority，andhalf-a-dozenroundsofballcartridge——’
’Ay！’saidtheothervoice。’That’sallverywell，buttheywon’tgivetheneedfulauthority。Ifthemagistratewon’tgivetheword，what’stheofficertodo？’
Notverywellknowing，asitseemed，howtoovercomethisdifficulty，theothermancontentedhimselfwithdamningthemagistrates。
’Withallmyheart，’saidhisfriend。
’Where’stheuseofamagistrate？’returnedtheothervoice。
’What’samagistrateinthiscase，butanimpertinent，unnecessary，unconstitutionalsortofinterference？Here’saproclamation。
Here’samanreferredtointhatproclamation。Here’sproofagainsthim，andawitnessonthespot。Damme！Takehimoutandshoothim，sir。Whowantsamagistrate？’
’WhendoeshegobeforeSirJohnFielding？’askedthemanwhohadspokenfirst。
’To-nightateighto’clock，’returnedtheother。’Markwhatfollows。ThemagistratecommitshimtoNewgate。OurpeopletakehimtoNewgate。Therioterspeltourpeople。Ourpeopleretirebeforetherioters。Stonesarethrown，insultsareoffered，notashot’sfired。Why？Becauseofthemagistrates。Damnthemagistrates！’
Whenhehadinsomedegreerelievedhismindbycursingthemagistratesinvariousotherformsofspeech，themanwassilent，saveforalowgrowling，stillhavingreferencetothoseauthorities，whichfromtimetotimeescapedhim。
Barnaby，whohadwitenoughtoknowthatthisconversationconcerned，andverynearlyconcerned，himself，remainedperfectlyquietuntiltheyceasedtospeak，whenhegropedhiswaytothedoor，andpeepingthroughtheair-holes，triedtomakeoutwhatkindofmentheywere，towhomhehadbeenlistening。
Theonewhocondemnedthecivilpowerinsuchstrongterms，wasaserjeant——engagedjustthen，asthestreamingribandsinhiscapannounced，ontherecruitingservice。Hestoodleaningsidewaysagainstapillarnearlyoppositethedoor，andashegrowledtohimself，drewfiguresonthepavementwithhiscane。Theothermanhadhisbacktowardsthedungeon，andBarnabycouldonlyseehisform。Tojudgefromthat，hewasagallant，manly，handsomefellow，buthehadlosthisleftarm。Ithadbeentakenoffbetweentheelbowandtheshoulder，andhisemptycoat-sleevehungacrosshisbreast。
Itwasprobablythiscircumstancewhichgavehimaninterestbeyondanythathiscompanioncouldboastof，andattractedBarnaby’sattention。Therewassomethingsoldierlyinhisbearing，andheworeajauntycapandjacket。Perhapshehadbeenintheserviceatonetimeorother。Ifhehad，itcouldnothavebeenverylongago，forhewasbutayoungfellownow。
’Well，well，’hesaidthoughtfully;’letthefaultbewhereitmay，itmakesamansorrowfultocomebacktooldEngland，andseeherinthiscondition。’
’Isupposethepigswilljoin’emnext，’saidtheserjeant，withanimprecationontherioters，’nowthatthebirdshaveset’emtheexample。’
’Thebirds！’repeatedTomGreen。
’Ah——birds，’saidtheserjeanttestily;’that’sEnglish，an’tit？’
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。’
’Gototheguard-house，andsee。You’llfindabirdthere，that’sgottheircryaspatasanyof’em，andbawls“NoPopery。”likeaman——orlikeadevil，ashesaysheis。Ishouldn’twonder。Thedevil’slooseinLondonsomewhere。DammeifIwouldn’ttwisthisneckround，onthechance，ifIhadMYway。’
Theyoungmanhadtakentwoorthreestepsaway，asiftogoandseethiscreature，whenhewasarrestedbythevoiceofBarnaby。
’It’smine，’hecalledout，halflaughingandhalfweeping——’mypet，myfriendGrip。Hahaha！Don’thurthim，hehasdonenoharm。Itaughthim;it’smyfault。Letmehavehim，ifyouplease。He’stheonlyfriendIhaveleftnow。He’llnotdance，ortalk，orwhistleforyou，Iknow;buthewillforme，becauseheknowsmeandlovesme——thoughyouwouldn’tthinkit——verywell。
Youwouldn’thurtabird，I’msure。You’reabravesoldier，sir，andwouldn’tharmawomanorachild——no，no，norapoorbird，I’mcertain。’
Thislatteradjurationwasaddressedtotheserjeant，whomBarnabyjudgedfromhisredcoattobehighinoffice，andabletosealGrip’sdestinybyaword。Butthatgentleman，inreply，surlilydamnedhimforathiefandrebelashewas，andwithmanydisinterestedimprecationsonhisowneyes，liver，blood，andbody，assuredhimthatifitrestedwithhimtodecide，hewouldputafinalstopperonthebird，andhismastertoo。
’Youtalkboldlytoacagedman，’saidBarnaby，inanger。’IfI
wasontheothersideofthedoorandtherewerenonetopartus，you’dchangeyournote——ay，youmaytossyourhead——youwould！
Killthebird——do。Killanythingyoucan，andsorevengeyourselfonthosewhowiththeirbarehandsuntiedcoulddoasmuchtoyou！’
Havingventedhisdefiance，heflunghimselfintothefurthestcornerofhisprison，andmuttering，’Goodbye，Grip——goodbye，dearoldGrip！’shedtearsforthefirsttimesincehehadbeentakencaptive;andhidhisfaceinthestraw。
Hehadhadsomefancyatfirst，thattheone-armedmanwouldhelphim，orwouldgivehimakindwordinanswer。Hehardlyknewwhy，buthehopedandthoughtso。Theyoungfellowhadstoppedwhenhecalledout，andcheckinghimselfintheveryactofturninground，stoodlisteningtoeverywordhesaid。Perhapshebuilthisfeebletrustonthis;perhapsonhisbeingyoung，andhavingafrankandhonestmanner。Howeverthatmightbe，hebuiltonsand。Theotherwentawaydirectlyhehadfinishedspeaking，andneitheransweredhim，norreturned。Nomatter。Theywereallagainsthimhere:hemighthaveknownasmuch。Goodbye，oldGrip，goodbye！
Aftersometime，theycameandunlockedthedoor，andcalledtohimtocomeout。Herosedirectly，andcomplied，forhewouldnothaveTHEMthinkhewassubduedorfrightened。Hewalkedoutlikeaman，andlookedfromfacetoface。
Noneofthemreturnedhisgazeorseemedtonoticeit。Theymarchedhimbacktotheparadebythewaytheyhadbroughthim，andtheretheyhalted，amongabodyofsoldiers，atleasttwiceasnumerousasthatwhichhadtakenhimprisonerintheafternoon。
Theofficerhehadseenbefore，badehiminafewbriefwordstakenoticethatifheattemptedtoescape，nomatterhowfavourableachancehemightsupposehehad，certainofthemenhadorderstofireuponhim，thatmoment。Theythenclosedroundhimasbefore，andmarchedhimoffagain。
InthesameunbrokenordertheyarrivedatBowStreet，followedandbesetonallsidesbyacrowdwhichwascontinuallyincreasing。
Herehewasplacedbeforeablindgentleman，andaskedifhewishedtosayanything。Nothe。Whathadhegottotellthem？Afteraverylittletalking，whichhewascarelessofandquiteindifferentto，theytoldhimhewastogotoNewgate，andtookhimaway。
Hewentoutintothestreet，sosurroundedandhemmedinoneverysidebysoldiers，thathecouldseenothing;butheknewtherewasagreatcrowdofpeople，bythemurmur;andthattheywerenotfriendlytothesoldiers，wassoonrenderedevidentbytheiryellsandhisses。HowoftenandhoweagerlyhelistenedforthevoiceofHugh！Therewasnotavoiceheknewamongthemall。WasHughaprisonertoo？Wastherenohope！
Astheycamenearerandnearertotheprison，thehootingsofthepeoplegrewmoreviolent;stoneswerethrown;andeverynowandthen，arushwasmadeagainstthesoldiers，whichtheystaggeredunder。Oneofthem，closebeforehim，smartingunderablowuponthetemple，levelledhismusket，buttheofficerstruckitupwardswithhissword，andorderedhimonperilofhislifetodesist。
Thiswasthelastthinghesawwithanydistinctness，fordirectlyafterwardshewastossedabout，andbeatentoandfro，asthoughinatempestuoussea。Butgowherehewould，therewerethesameguardsabouthim。Twiceorthricehewasthrowndown，andsowerethey;buteventhen，hecouldnoteludetheirvigilanceforamoment。Theywereupagain，andhadclosedabouthim，beforehe，withhiswristssotightlybound，couldscrambletohisfeet。
Fencedin，thus，hefelthimselfhoistedtothetopofalowflightofsteps，andthenforamomenthecaughtaglimpseofthefightinginthecrowd，andofafewredcoatssprinkledtogether，hereandthere，strugglingtorejointheirfellows。Nextmoment，everythingwasdarkandgloomy，andhewasstandingintheprisonlobby;thecentreofagroupofmen。
Asmithwasspeedilyinattendance，whoriveteduponhimasetofheavyirons。Stumblingonaswellashecould，beneaththeunusualburdenofthesefetters，hewasconductedtoastrongstonecell，where，fasteningthedoorwithlocks，andbolts，andchains，theylefthim，wellsecured;havingfirst，unseenbyhim，thrustinGrip，who，withhisheaddroopingandhisdeepblackplumesroughandrumpled，appearedtocomprehendandtopartake，hismaster’sfallenfortunes。
Chapter59
ItisnecessaryatthisjuncturetoreturntoHugh，who，having，aswehaveseen，calledtotherioterstodispersefromabouttheWarren，andmeetagainasusual，glidedbackintothedarknessfromwhichhehademerged，andreappearednomorethatnight。
Hepausedinthecopsewhichshelteredhimfromtheobservationofhismadcompanions，andwaitedtoascertainwhethertheydrewoffathisbidding，orstilllingeredandcalledtohimtojointhem。
Somefew，hesaw，wereindisposedtogoawaywithouthim，andmadetowardsthespotwherehestoodconcealedasthoughtheywereabouttofollowinhisfootsteps，andurgehimtocomeback;butthesemen，beingintheirturncalledtobytheirfriends，andintruthnotgreatlycaringtoventureintothedarkpartsofthegrounds，wheretheymightbeeasilysurprisedandtaken，ifanyoftheneighboursorretainersofthefamilywerewatchingthemfromamongthetrees，soonabandonedtheidea，andhastilyassemblingsuchmenastheyfoundoftheirmindatthemoment，straggledoff。
Whenhewassatisfiedthatthegreatmassoftheinsurgentswereimitatingthisexample，andthatthegroundwasrapidlyclearing，heplungedintothethickestportionofthelittlewood;and，crashingthebranchesashewent，madestraighttowardsadistantlight:guidedbythat，andbythesullenglowofthefirebehindhim。
Ashedrewnearerandnearertothetwinklingbeacontowardswhichhebenthiscourse，theredglareofafewtorchesbegantorevealitself，andthevoicesofmenspeakingtogetherinasubduedtonebrokethesilencewhich，saveforadistantshoutingnowandthen，alreadyprevailed。Atlengthheclearedthewood，and，springingacrossaditch，stoodinadarklane，whereasmallbodyofill-
lookingvagabonds，whomhehadlefttheresometwentyminutesbefore，waitedhiscomingwithimpatience。
Theyweregatheredroundanoldpost-chaiseorchariot，drivenbyoneofthemselves，whosatpostilion-wiseuponthenearhorse。Theblindsweredrawnup，andMrTappertitandDenniskeptguardatthetwowindows。Theformerassumedthecommandoftheparty，forhechallengedHughasheadvancedtowardsthem;andwhenhedidso，thosewhowererestingonthegroundaboutthecarriagerosetotheirfeetandclusteredroundhim。
’Well！’saidSimon，inalowvoice;’isallright？’
’Rightenough，’repliedHugh，inthesametone。’They’redispersingnow——hadbegunbeforeIcameaway。’
’Andisthecoastclear？’
’Clearenoughbeforeourmen，Itakeit，’saidHugh。’Therearenotmanywho，knowingoftheirworkoveryonder，willwanttomeddlewith’emto-night——Who’sgotsomedrinkhere？’
Everybodyhadsomeplunderfromthecellar;half-a-dozenflasksandbottleswereoffereddirectly。Heselectedthelargest，andputtingittohismouth，sentthewinegurglingdownhisthroat。
Havingemptiedit，hethrewitdown，andstretchedouthishandforanother，whichheemptiedlikewise，atadraught。Anotherwasgivenhim，andthishehalfemptiedtoo。Reservingwhatremainedtofinishwith，heasked:
’Haveyougotanythingtoeat，anyofyou？I’masravenousasahungrywolf。Whichofyouwasinthelarder——come？’
’Iwas，brother，’saidDennis，pullingoffhishat，andfumblinginthecrown。’There’samatterofcoldvenisonpastysomewhereoranotherhere，ifthat’lldo。’
’Do！’criedHugh，seatinghimselfonthepathway。’Bringitout！
Quick！Showalighthere，andgatherround！Letmesupinstate，mylads！Hahaha！’
Enteringintohisboisteroushumour，fortheyallhaddrunkdeeply，andwereaswildashe，theycrowdedabouthim，whiletwooftheirnumberwhohadtorches，heldthemup，oneoneithersideofhim，thathisbanquetmightnotbedespatchedinthedark。MrDennis，havingbythistimesucceededinextricatingfromhishatagreatmassofpasty，whichhadbeenwedgedinsotightlythatitwasnoteasilygotout，putitbeforehim;andHugh，havingborrowedanotchedandjaggedknifefromoneofthecompany，felltoworkuponitvigorously。
’Ishouldrecommendyoutoswallowalittlefireeveryday，aboutanhouraforedinner，brother，’saidDennis，afterapause。’Itseemstoagreewithyou，andtostimulateyourappetite。’
Hughlookedathim，andattheblackenedfacesbywhichhewassurrounded，and，stoppingforamomenttoflourishhisknifeabovehishead，answeredwitharoaroflaughter。
’Keeporder，there，willyou？’saidSimonTappertit。
’Why，isn’tamanallowedtoregalehimself，noblecaptain，’
retortedhislieutenant，partingthemenwhostoodbetweenthem，withhisknife，thathemightseehim，——’toregalehimselfalittlebitaftersuchworkasmine？Whatahardcaptain！Whatastrictcaptain！Whatatyrannicalcaptain！Hahaha！’
’Iwishoneofyoufellerswouldholdabottletohismouthtokeephimquiet，’saidSimon，’unlessyouwantthemilitarytobedownuponus。’
’Andwhatiftheyaredownuponus！’retortedHugh。’Whocares？
Who’safraid？Let’emcome，Isay，let’emcome。Themore，themerrier。GivemeboldBarnabyatmyside，andwetwowillsettlethemilitary，withouttroublinganyofyou。Barnaby’sthemanforthemilitary。Barnaby’shealth！’
Butasthemajorityofthosepresentwerebynomeansanxiousforasecondengagementthatnight，beingalreadywearyandexhausted，theysidedwithMrTappertit，andpressedhimtomakehastewithhissupper，fortheyhadalreadydelayedtoolong。Knowing，evenintheheightofhisfrenzy，thattheyincurredgreatdangerbylingeringsonearthesceneofthelateoutrages，Hughmadeanendofhismealwithoutmoreremonstrance，andrising，steppeduptoMrTappertit，andsmotehimontheback。
’Nowthen，’hecried，’I’mready。Therearebravebirdsinsidethiscage，eh？Delicatebirds，——tender，loving，littledoves。I
caged’em——Icaged’em——onemorepeep！’
Hethrustthelittlemanasideashespoke，andmountingonthesteps，whichwerehalfletdown，pulleddowntheblindbyforce，andstaredintothechaiselikeanogreintohislarder。
’Hahaha！anddidyouscratch，andpinch，andstruggle，prettymistress？’hecried，ashegraspedalittlehandthatsoughtinvaintofreeitselffromhisgrip:’you，sobright-eyed，andcherry-lipped，anddaintilymade？ButIloveyoubetterforit，mistress。Ay，Ido。Youshouldstabmeandwelcome，sothatitpleasedyou，andyouhadtocuremeafterwards。Ilovetoseeyouproudandscornful。Itmakesyouhandsomerthanever;andwhosohandsomeasyouatanytime，myprettyone！’
’Come！’saidMrTappertit，whohadwaitedduringthisspeechwithconsiderableimpatience。’There’senoughofthat。Comedown。’
ThelittlehandsecondedthisadmonitionbythrustingHugh’sgreatheadawaywithallitsforce，anddrawinguptheblind，amidsthisnoisylaughter，andvowsthathemusthaveanotherlook，forthelastglimpseofthatsweetfacehadprovokedhimpastallbearing。
However，asthesuppressedimpatienceofthepartynowbrokeoutintoopenmurmurs，heabandonedthisdesign，andtakinghisseatuponthebar，contentedhimselfwithtappingatthefrontwindowsofthecarriage，andtryingtostealaglanceinside;MrTappertit，mountingthestepsandhangingonbythedoor，issuedhisdirectionstothedriverwithacommandingvoiceandattitude;therestgotupbehind，orranbythesideofthecarriage，astheycould;some，inimitationofHugh，endeavouredtoseethefacehehadpraisedsohighly，andwereremindedoftheirimpertinencebyhintsfromthecudgelofMrTappertit。Thustheypursuedtheirjourneybycircuitousandwindingroads;preserving，exceptwhentheyhaltedtotakebreath，ortoquarrelaboutthebestwayofreachingLondon，prettygoodorderandtolerablesilence。
Inthemeantime，Dolly——beautiful，bewitching，captivatinglittleDolly——herhairdishevelled，herdresstorn，herdarkeyelasheswetwithtears，herbosomheaving——herface，nowpalewithfear，nowcrimsonedwithindignation——herwholeselfahundredtimesmorebeautifulinthisheightenedaspectthanevershehadbeenbefore——
vainlystrovetocomfortEmmaHaredale，andtoimparttohertheconsolationofwhichshestoodinsomuchneedherself。Thesoldiersweresuretocome;theymustberescued;itwouldbeimpossibletoconveythemthroughthestreetsofLondonwhentheysetthethreatsoftheirguardsatdefiance，andshriekedtothepassengersforhelp。Iftheydidthiswhentheycameintothemorefrequentedways，shewascertain——shewasquitecertain——theymustbereleased。SopoorDollysaid，andsopoorDollytriedtothink;
buttheinvariableconclusionofallsuchargumentswas，thatDollyburstintotears;cried，asshewrungherhands，whatwouldtheydoorthink，orwhowouldcomfortthem，athome，attheGoldenKey;
andsobbedmostpiteously。
MissHaredale，whosefeelingswereusuallyofaquieterkindthanDolly’s，andnotsomuchuponthesurface，wasdreadfullyalarmed，andindeedhadonlyjustrecoveredfromaswoon。Shewasverypale，andthehandwhichDollyheldwasquitecold;butshebadeher，nevertheless，rememberthat，underProvidence，muchmustdependupontheirowndiscretion;thatiftheyremainedquietandlulledthevigilanceoftheruffiansintowhosehandstheyhadfallen，thechancesoftheirbeingabletoprocureassistancewhentheyreachedthetown，wereverymuchincreased;thatunlesssocietywerequiteunhinged，ahotpursuitmustbeimmediatelycommenced;andthatheruncle，shemightbesure，wouldneverrestuntilhehadfoundthemoutandrescuedthem。Butasshesaidtheselatterwords，theideathathehadfalleninageneralmassacreoftheCatholicsthatnight——noverywildorimprobablesuppositionafterwhattheyhadseenandundergone——struckherdumb;and，lostinthehorrorstheyhadwitnessed，andthosetheymightbeyetreservedfor，shesatincapableofthought，orspeech，oroutwardshowofgrief:asrigid，andalmostaswhiteandcold，asmarble。
Oh，howmany，manytimes，inthatlongride，didDollythinkofheroldlover，——poor，fond，slightedJoe！Howmany，manytimes，didsherecallthatnightwhensheranintohisarmsfromtheverymannowprojectinghishatefulgazeintothedarknesswhereshesat，andleeringthroughtheglassinmonstrousadmiration！AndwhenshethoughtofJoe，andwhatabravefellowhewas，andhowhewouldhaverodeboldlyup，anddashedinamongthesevillainsnow，yes，thoughtheyweredoublethenumber——andheresheclenchedherlittlehand，andpressedherfootupontheground——theprideshefeltforamomentinhavingwonhisheart，fadedinaburstoftears，andshesobbedmorebitterlythanever。
Asthenightworeon，andtheyproceededbywayswhichwerequiteunknowntothem——fortheycouldrecognisenoneoftheobjectsofwhichtheysometimescaughtahurriedglimpse——theirfearsincreased;norweretheywithoutgoodfoundation;itwasnotdifficultfortwobeautifulyoungwomentofind，intheirbeingbornetheyknewnotwhitherbyabandofdaringvillainswhoeyedthemassomeamongthesefellowsdid，reasonsfortheworstalarm。
WhentheyatlastenteredLondon，byasuburbwithwhichtheywerewhollyunacquainted，itwaspastmidnight，andthestreetsweredarkandempty。Norwasthistheworst，forthecarriagestoppinginalonelyspot，Hughsuddenlyopenedthedoor，jumpedin，andtookhisseatbetweenthem。
Itwasinvaintheycriedforhelp。Heputhisarmabouttheneckofeach，andsworetostiflethemwithkissesiftheywerenotassilentasthegrave。
’Icomeheretokeepyouquiet，’hesaid，’andthat’sthemeansI
shalltake。Sodon’tbequiet，prettymistresses——makeanoise——
do——andIshalllikeitallthebetter。’
Theywereproceedingatarapidpace，andapparentlywithfewerattendantsthanbefore，thoughitwassodarkthetorchesbeingextinguishedthatthiswasmereconjecture。Theyshrunkfromhistouch，eachintothefarthestcornerofthecarriage;butshrinkasDollywould，hisarmencircledherwaist，andheldherfast。Sheneithercriednorspoke，forterroranddisgustdeprivedherofthepower;butshepluckedathishandasthoughshewoulddieintheefforttodisengageherself;andcrouchingontheground，withherheadavertedandhelddown，repelledhimwithastrengthshewonderedatasmuchashe。Thecarriagestoppedagain。
’Liftthisoneout，’saidHughtothemanwhoopenedthedoor，ashetookMissHaredale’shand，andfelthowheavilyitfell。’She’sfainted。’
’Somuchthebetter，’growledDennis——itwasthatamiablegentleman。’She’squiet。Ialwayslike’emtofaint，unlessthey’reverytenderandcomposed。’
’Canyoutakeherbyyourself？’askedHugh。
’Idon’tknowtillItry。Ioughttobeableto;I’veliftedupagoodmanyinmytime，’saidthehangman。’Upthen！She’snosmallweight，brother;noneoftheseherefinegalsare。Upagain！Nowwehaveher。’
Havingbythistimehoistedtheyoungladyintohisarms，hestaggeredoffwithhisburden。
’Lookye，prettybird，’saidHugh，drawingDollytowardshim。
’RememberwhatItoldyou——akissforeverycry。Scream，ifyouloveme，darling。Screamonce，mistress。Prettymistress，onlyonce，ifyouloveme。’
Thrustinghisfaceawaywithallherforce，andholdingdownherhead，Dollysubmittedtobecarriedoutofthechaise，andborneafterMissHaredaleintoamiserablecottage，whereHugh，afterhugginghertohisbreast，sethergentlydownuponthefloor。
PoorDolly！Dowhatshewould，sheonlylookedthebetterforit，andtemptedthemthemore。Whenhereyesflashedangrily，andherripelipsslightlyparted，togiveherrapidbreathingvent，whocouldresistit？Whensheweptandsobbedasthoughherheartwouldbreak，andbemoanedhermiseriesinthesweetestvoicethateverfelluponalistener’sear，whocouldbeinsensibletothelittlewinningpettishnesswhichnowandthendisplayeditself，eveninthesincerityandearnestnessofhergrief？When，forgetfulforamomentofherself，asshewasnow，shefellonherkneesbesideherfriend，andbentoverher，andlaidhercheektohers，andputherarmsabouther，whatmortaleyescouldhaveavoidedwanderingtothedelicatebodice，thestreaminghair，theneglecteddress，theperfectabandonmentandunconsciousnessofthebloominglittlebeauty？Whocouldlookonandseeherlavishcaressesandendearments，andnotdesiretobeinEmmaHaredale’splace;tobeeitherherorDolly;eitherthehuggingorthehugged？
NotHugh。NotDennis。
’Itellyouwhatitis，youngwomen，’saidMrDennis，’Ian’tmuchofalady’smanmyself，noramIapartyinthepresentbusinessfurtherthanlendingawillinghandtomyfriends:butifIseemuchmoreofthisheresortofthing，Ishallbecomeaprincipalinsteadofaaccessory。Itellyoucandid。’
’Whyhaveyoubroughtushere？’saidEmma。’Arewetobemurdered？’
’Murdered！’criedDennis，sittingdownuponastool，andregardingherwithgreatfavour。’Why，mydear，who’dmurdersichchickabiddiesasyou？Ifyouwastoaskme，now，whetheryouwasbroughtheretobemarried，theremightbesomethinginit。’
AndhereheexchangedagrinwithHugh，whoremovedhiseyesfromDollyforthepurpose。
’No，no，’saidDennis，’there’llbenomurdering，mypets。Nothingofthatsort。Quitethecontrairy。’
’Youareanoldermanthanyourcompanion，sir，’saidEmma，trembling。’Haveyounopityforus？Doyounotconsiderthatwearewomen？’
’Idoindeed，mydear，’retortedDennis。’Itwouldbeveryhardnotto，withtwosuchspecimensaforemyeyes。Haha！Ohyes，I
considerthat。Weallconsiderthat，miss。’
Heshookhisheadwaggishly，leeredatHughagain，andlaughedverymuch，asifhehadsaidanoblething，andratherthoughthewascomingout。
’There’llbenomurdering，mydear。Notabitonit。Itellyouwhatthough，brother，’saidDennis，cockinghishatfortheconvenienceofscratchinghishead，andlookinggravelyatHugh，’it’sworthyofnotice，asaproofoftheamazingequalnessanddignityofourlaw，thatitdon’tmakenodistinctionbetweenmenandwomen。I’veheerdthejudgesay，sometimes，toahighwaymanorhousebreakerashadtiedtheladiesneckandheels——you’llexcusememakingmentionofit，mydarlings——andput’eminacellar，thatheshowednoconsiderationtowomen。Now，Isaythattherejudgedidn’tknowhisbusiness，brother;andthatifIhadbeenthattherehighwaymanorhousebreaker，Ishouldhavemadeanswer:“Whatareyouatalkingof，mylord？Ishowedthewomenasmuchconsiderationasthelawdoes，andwhatmorewouldyouhavemedo？”
Ifyouwastocountupinthenewspapersthenumberoffemalesashavebeenworkedoffinthisherecityalone，inthelasttenyear，’saidMrDennisthoughtfully，’you’dbesurprisedatthetotal——quiteamazed，youwould。There’sadignifiedandequalthing;abeautifulthing！Butwe’venosecurityforitslasting。
Nowthatthey’vebeguntofavourtheseherePapists，Ishouldn’twonderiftheywentandalteredevenTHAT，oneofthesedays。Uponmysoul，Ishouldn’t。’
Thesubject，perhapsfrombeingoftooexclusiveandprofessionalanature，failedtointerestHughasmuchashisfriendhadanticipated。Buthehadnotimetopursueit，foratthiscrisisMrTappertitenteredprecipitately;atsightofwhomDollyutteredascreamofjoy，andfairlythrewherselfintohisarms。
’Iknewit，Iwassureofit！’criedDolly。’Mydearfather’satthedoor。ThankGod，thankGod！Blessyou，Sim。Heavenblessyouforthis！’
SimonTappertit，whohadatfirstimplicitlybelievedthatthelocksmith’sdaughter，unableanylongertosuppresshersecretpassionforhimself，wasabouttogiveitfullventinitsintensity，andtodeclarethatshewashisforever，lookedextremelyfoolishwhenshesaidthesewords;——themoreso，astheywerereceivedbyHughandDenniswithaloudlaugh，whichmadeherdrawback，andregardhimwithafixedandearnestlook。
’MissHaredale，’saidSim，afteraveryawkwardsilence，’Ihopeyou’reascomfortableascircumstanceswillpermitof。DollyVarden，mydarling——myown，mylovelyone——IhopeYOU’REprettycomfortablelikewise。’
PoorlittleDolly！Shesawhowitwas;hidherfaceinherhands;
andsobbedmorebitterlythanever。
’Youmeetinme，MissV。，’saidSimon，layinghishanduponhisbreast，’nota’prentice，notaworkman，notaslave，notthewictimofyourfather’styrannicalbehaviour，buttheleaderofagreatpeople，thecaptainofanobleband，inwhichthesegentlemenare，asImaysay，corporalsandserjeants。Youbeholdinme，notaprivateindividual，butapubliccharacter;notamenderoflocks，butahealerofthewoundsofhisunhappycountry。DollyV。，sweetDollyV。，forhowmanyyearshaveIlookedforwardtothispresentmeeting！Forhowmanyyearshasitbeenmyintentiontoexaltandennobleyou！Iredeemit。Beholdinme，yourhusband。Yes，beautifulDolly——charmer——enslaver——S。Tappertitisallyourown！’
Ashesaidthesewordsheadvancedtowardsher。Dollyretreatedtillshecouldgonofarther，andthensankdownuponthefloor。
Thinkingitverypossiblethatthismightbemaidenmodesty，Simonessayedtoraiseher;onwhichDolly，goadedtodesperation，woundherhandsinhishair，andcryingoutamidsthertearsthathewasadreadfullittlewretch，andalwayshadbeen，shook，andpulled，andbeathim，untilhewasfaintocallforhelp，mostlustily。
Hughhadneveradmiredherhalfsomuchasatthatmoment。
’She’sinanexcitedstateto-night，’saidSimon，ashesmoothedhisrumpledfeathers，’anddon’tknowwhenshe’swelloff。Letherbebyherselftillto-morrow，andthat’llbringherdownalittle。
Carryherintothenexthouse！’
Hughhadherinhisarmsdirectly。ItmightbethatMrTappertit’sheartwasreallysoftenedbyherdistress，oritmightbethathefeltitinsomedegreeindecorousthathisintendedbrideshouldbestrugglinginthegraspofanotherman。Hecommandedhim，onsecondthoughts，toputherdownagain，andlookedmoodilyonassheflewtoMissHaredale’sside，andclingingtoherdress，hidherflushedfaceinitsfolds。
’Theyshallremainheretogethertillto-morrow，’saidSimon，whohadnowquiterecoveredhisdignity——’tillto-morrow。Comeaway！’
’Ay！’criedHugh。’Comeaway，captain。Hahaha！’
’Whatareyoulaughingat？’demandedSimonsternly。
’Nothing，captain，nothing，’Hughrejoined;andashespoke，andclappedhishandupontheshoulderofthelittleman，helaughedagain，forsomeunknownreason，withtenfoldviolence。
MrTappertitsurveyedhimfromheadtofootwithloftyscornthisonlymadehimlaughthemore，andturningtotheprisoners，said:
’You’lltakenotice，ladies，thatthisplaceiswellwatchedoneveryside，andthattheleastnoiseiscertaintobeattendedwithunpleasantconsequences。You’llhear——bothofyou——moreofourintentionsto-morrow。Inthemeantime，don’tshowyourselvesatthewindow，orappealtoanyofthepeopleyoumayseepassit;forifyoudo，it’llbeknowndirectlythatyoucomefromaCatholichouse，andalltheexertionsourmencanmake，maynotbeabletosaveyourlives。’
Withthislastcaution，whichwastrueenough，heturnedtothedoor，followedbyHughandDennis。Theypausedforamoment，goingout，tolookatthemclaspedineachother’sarms，andthenleftthecottage;fasteningthedoor，andsettingagoodwatchuponit，andindeedallroundthehouse。
’Isay，’growledDennis，astheywalkedawayincompany，’that’sadaintypair。MusterGashford’soneisashandsomeastheother，eh？’
’Hush！’saidHugh，hastily。’Don’tyoumentionnames。It’sabadhabit。’
’Iwouldn’tliketobeHIM，thenasyoudon’tlikenames，whenhebreaksitouttoher;that’sall，’saidDennis。’She’soneofthemfine，black-eyed，proudgals，asIwouldn’ttrustatsuchtimeswithaknifetoonear’em。I’veseensomeofthatsort，aforenow。
Irecollectonethatwasworkedoff，manyyearago——andtherewasagentlemaninthatcasetoo——thatsaystome，withherlipatrembling，butherhandassteadyaseverIseeone:“Dennis，I’mnearmyend，butifIhadadaggerinthesefingers，andhewaswithinmyreach，I’dstrikehimdeadaforeme;“——ah，shedid——andshe’dhavedoneittoo！’
Strikewhodead？’demandedHugh。
’HowshouldIknow，brother？’answeredDennis。’SHEneversaid;
notshe。’
Hughlooked，foramoment，asthoughhewouldhavemadesomefurtherinquiryintothisincoherentrecollection;butSimonTappertit，whohadbeenmeditatingdeeply，gavehisthoughtsanewdirection。
’Hugh！’saidSim。’Youhavedonewellto-day。Youshallberewarded。Sohaveyou，Dennis——There’snoyoungwomanYOUwanttocarryoff，isthere？’
’N——no，’returnedthatgentleman，strokinghisgrizzlybeard，whichwassometwoincheslong。’Noneinpartickler，Ithink。’
’Verygood，’saidSim;’thenwe’llfindsomeotherwayofmakingituptoyou。Astoyou，oldboy’——heturnedtoHugh——’youshallhaveMiggsherthatIpromisedyou，youknowwithinthreedays。Mind。
Ipassmywordforit。’
Hughthankedhimheartily;andashedidso，hislaughingfitreturnedwithsuchviolencethathewasobligedtoholdhissidewithonehand，andtoleanwiththeotherontheshoulderofhissmallcaptain，withoutwhosesupporthewouldcertainlyhaverolledupontheground。
Chapter60
ThethreeworthiesturnedtheirfacestowardsTheBoot，withtheintentionofpassingthenightinthatplaceofrendezvous，andofseekingthereposetheysomuchneededintheshelteroftheiroldden;fornowthatthemischiefanddestructiontheyhadpurposedwereachieved，andtheirprisonersweresafelybestowedforthenight，theybegantobeconsciousofexhaustion，andtofeelthewastingeffectsofthemadnesswhichhadledtosuchdeplorableresults。
Notwithstandingthelassitudeandfatiguewhichoppressedhimnow，incommonwithhistwocompanions，andindeedwithallwhohadtakenanactiveshareinthatnight’swork，Hugh’sboisterousmerrimentbrokeoutafreshwheneverhelookedatSimonTappertit，andventeditself——muchtothatgentleman’sindignation——insuchshoutsoflaughterasbadefairtobringthewatchuponthem，andinvolvetheminaskirmish，towhichintheirpresentworn-outconditiontheymightprovebynomeansequal。EvenMrDennis，whowasnotatallparticularonthescoreofgravityordignity，andwhohadagreatrelishforhisyoungfriend’seccentrichumours，tookoccasiontoremonstratewithhimonthisimprudentbehaviour，whichheheldtobeaspeciesofsuicide，tantamounttoaman’sworkinghimselfoffwithoutbeingovertakenbythelaw，thanwhichhecouldimaginenothingmoreridiculousorimpertinent。
Notabatingonejotofhisnoisymirthfortheseremonstrances，Hughreeledalongbetweenthem，havinganarmofeach，untiltheyhoveinsightofTheBoot，andwerewithinafieldortwoofthatconvenienttavern。Hehappenedbygreatgoodlucktohaveroaredandshoutedhimselfintosilencebythistime。Theywereproceedingonwardwithoutnoise，whenascoutwhohadbeencreepingabouttheditchesallnight，towarnanystragglersfromencroachingfurtheronwhatwasnowsuchdangerousground，peepedcautiouslyfromhishiding-place，andcalledtothemtostop。
’Stop！andwhy？’saidHugh。
Becausethescoutrepliedthehousewasfilledwithconstablesandsoldiers;havingbeensurprisedthatafternoon。Theinmateshadfledorbeentakenintocustody，hecouldnotsaywhich。Hehadpreventedagreatmanypeoplefromapproachingnearer，andhebelievedtheyhadgonetothemarketsandsuchplacestopassthenight。Hehadseenthedistantfires，buttheywerealloutnow。
Hehadheardthepeoplewhopassedandrepassed，speakingofthemtoo，andcouldreportthattheprevailingopinionwasoneofapprehensionanddismay。HehadnotheardawordofBarnaby——
didn’tevenknowhisname——butithadbeensaidinhishearingthatsomemanhadbeentakenandcarriedofftoNewgate。Whetherthiswastrueorfalse，hecouldnotaffirm。
Thethreetookcounseltogether，onhearingthis，anddebatedwhatitmightbebesttodo。Hugh，deemingitpossiblethatBarnabywasinthehandsofthesoldiers，andatthatmomentunderdetentionatTheBoot，wasforadvancingstealthily，andfiringthehouse;buthiscompanions，whoobjectedtosuchrashmeasuresunlesstheyhadacrowdattheirbacks，representedthatifBarnabyweretakenhehadassuredlybeenremovedtoastrongerprison;theywouldneverhavedreamedofkeepinghimallnightinaplacesoweakandopentoattack。Yieldingtothisreasoning，andtotheirpersuasions，HughconsentedtoturnbackandtorepairtoFleetMarket;forwhichplace，itseemed，afewoftheirboldestassociateshadshapedtheircourse，onreceivingthesameintelligence。
Feelingtheirstrengthrecruitedandtheirspiritsroused，nowthattherewasanewnecessityforaction，theyhurriedaway，quiteforgetfulofthefatigueunderwhichtheyhadbeensinkingbutafewminutesbefore;andsoonarrivedattheirnewplaceofdestination。
FleetMarket，atthattime，wasalongirregularrowofwoodenshedsandpenthouses，occupyingthecentreofwhatisnowcalledFarringdonStreet。Theywerejumbledtogetherinamostunsightlyfashion，inthemiddleoftheroad;tothegreatobstructionofthethoroughfareandtheannoyanceofpassengers，whowerefaintomaketheirway，astheybestcould，amongcarts，baskets，barrows，trucks，casks，bulks，andbenches，andtojostlewithporters，hucksters，waggoners，andamotleycrowdofbuyers，sellers，pick-
pockets，vagrants，andidlers。Theairwasperfumedwiththestenchofrottenleavesandfadedfruit;therefuseofthebutchers’stalls，andoffalandgarbageofahundredkinds。Itwasindispensabletomostpublicconveniencesinthosedays，thattheyshouldbepublicnuisanceslikewise;andFleetMarketmaintainedtheprincipletoadmiration。
Tothisplace，perhapsbecauseitsshedsandbasketswereatolerablesubstituteforbeds，orperhapsbecauseitaffordedthemeansofahastybarricadeincaseofneed，manyoftheriotershadstraggled，notonlythatnight，butfortwoorthreenightsbefore。
Itwasnowbroadday，butthemorningbeingcold，agroupofthemweregatheredroundafireinapublic-house，drinkinghotpurl，andsmokingpipes，andplanningnewschemesforto-morrow。
Hughandhistwofriendsbeingknowntomostofthesemen，werereceivedwithsignalmarksofapprobation，andinductedintothemosthonourableseats。Theroom-doorwasclosedandfastenedtokeepintrudersatadistance，andthentheyproceededtoexchangenews。
’ThesoldiershavetakenpossessionofTheBoot，Ihear，’saidHugh。’Whoknowsanythingaboutit？’
Severalcriedthattheydid;butthemajorityofthecompanyhavingbeenengagedintheassaultupontheWarren，andallpresenthavingbeenconcernedinoneorotherofthenight’sexpeditions，itprovedthattheyknewnomorethanHughhimself;
havingbeenmerelywarnedbyeachother，orbythescout，andknowingnothingoftheirownknowledge。
’Weleftamanonguardthereto-day，’saidHugh，lookingroundhim，’whoisnothere。Youknowwhoitis——Barnaby，whobroughtthesoldierdown，atWestminster。Hasanymanseenorheardofhim？’
Theyshooktheirheads，andmurmuredananswerinthenegative，aseachmanlookedroundandappealedtohisfellow;whenanoisewasheardwithout，andamanwasheardtosaythathewantedHugh——thathemustseeHugh。
’Heisbutoneman，’criedHughtothosewhokeptthedoor;’lethimcomein。’
’Ay，ay！’mutteredtheothers。’Lethimcomein。Lethimcomein。’
Thedoorwasaccordinglyunlockedandopened。Aone-armedman，withhisheadandfacetiedupwithabloodycloth，asthoughhehadbeenseverelybeaten，hisclothestorn，andhisremaininghandgraspingathickstick，rushedinamongthem，andpantingforbreath，demandedwhichwasHugh。
’Hereheis，’repliedthepersonheinquiredfor。’IamHugh。
Whatdoyouwantwithme？’
’Ihaveamessageforyou，’saidtheman。’YouknowoneBarnaby。’
’Whatofhim？Didhesendthemessage？’
’Yes。He’staken。He’sinoneofthestrongcellsinNewgate。Hedefendedhimselfaswellashecould，butwasoverpoweredbynumbers。That’shismessage。’
’Whendidyouseehim？’askedHugh，hastily。
’Onhiswaytoprison，wherehewastakenbyapartyofsoldiers。
Theytookaby-road，andnottheoneweexpected。Iwasoneofthefewwhotriedtorescuehim，andhecalledtome，andtoldmetotellHughwherehewas。Wemadeagoodstruggle，thoughitfailed。Lookhere！’
Hepointedtohisdressandtohisbandagedhead，andstillpantingforbreath，glancedroundtheroom;thenfacedtowardsHughagain。
’Iknowyoubysight，’hesaid，’forIwasinthecrowdonFriday，andonSaturday，andyesterday，butIdidn’tknowyourname。
You’reaboldfellow，Iknow。Soishe。Hefoughtlikealiontonight，butitwasofnouse。Ididmybest，consideringthatI
wantthislimb。’
Againheglancedinquisitivelyroundtheroomorseemedtodoso，forhisfacewasnearlyhiddenbythebandage——andagainfacingsharplytowardsHugh，graspedhisstickasifhehalfexpectedtobesetupon，andstoodonthedefensive。
Ifhehadanysuchapprehension，however，hewasspeedilyreassuredbythedemeanourofallpresent。Nonethoughtofthebearerofthetidings。Hewaslostinthenewshebrought。Oaths，threats，andexecrations，wereventedonallsides。Somecriedthatiftheyborethistamely，anotherdaywouldseethemallinjail;some，thattheyshouldhaverescuedtheotherprisoners，andthiswouldnothavehappened。Onemancriedinaloudvoice，’Who’llfollowmetoNewgate！’andtherewasaloudshoutandgeneralrushtowardsthedoor。
ButHughandDennisstoodwiththeirbacksagainstit，andkeptthemback，untiltheclamourhadsofarsubsidedthattheirvoicescouldbeheard，whentheycalledtothemtogetherthattogonow，inbroadday，wouldbemadness;andthatiftheywaiteduntilnightandarrangedaplanofattack，theymightrelease，notonlytheirowncompanions，butalltheprisoners，andburndownthejail。
’Notthatjailalone，’criedHugh，’buteveryjailinLondon。Theyshallhavenoplacetoputtheirprisonersin。We’llburnthemalldown;makebonfiresofthemeveryone！Here！’hecried，catchingatthehangman’shand。’Letallwho’remenhere，joinwithus。
Shakehandsuponit。Barnabyoutofjail，andnotajailleftstanding！Whojoins？’
Everymanthere。AndtheysworeagreatoathtoreleasetheirfriendsfromNewgatenextnight;toforcethedoorsandburnthejail;orperishinthefirethemselves。