barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第112章
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one he carried in his breast； but his companion whispered him not
to touch it or to take it up；—not even to look towards it；—so there
they let them lie； and passed on。
When they had paraded the street and all the avenues of the
building in this manner for near two hours； they turned away； and
his friend asked him what he thought of what he had seen； and
whether he was prepared for a good hot piece of work if it should
come to that。 The hotter the better；’ said Hugh； ‘I’m prepared for
anything。’—‘So am I；’ said his friend； ‘and so are many of us； and
they shook hands upon it with a great oath； and with many terrible
imprecations on the Papists。
As they were thirsty by this time； Dennis proposed that they
should repair together to The Boot； where there was good
company and strong liquor。 Hugh yielding a ready assent； they
bent their steps that way with no loss of time。
This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment； situated in
the fields at the back of the Foundling Hospital； a very solitary
spot at that period； and quite deserted after dark。 The tavern stood
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at some distance from any high road； and was approachable only
by a dark and narrow lane； so that Hugh was much surprised to
find several people drinking there； and great merriment going on。
He was still more surprised to find among them almost every face
that had caught his attention in the crowd； but his companion
having whispered him outside the door； that it was not considered
good manners at The Boot to appear at all curious about the
company； he kept his own counsel； and made no show of
recognition。
Before putting his lips to the liquor which was brought for
them； Dennis drank in a loud voice the health of Lord George
Gordon； President of the Great Protestant Association； which toast
Hugh pledged likewise； with corresponding enthusiasm。 A fiddler
who was present； and who appeared to act as the appointed
minstrel of the company； forthwith struck up a Scotch reel； and
that in tones so invigorating； that Hugh and his friend （who had
both been drinking before） rose from their seats as by previous
concert； and； to the great admiration of the assembled guests；
performed an extemporaneous No…Popery Dance。
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Chapter 39
he applause which the performance of Hugh and his new
friend elicited from the company at The Boot； had not yet
T
subsided； and the two dancers were still panting from
their exertions； which had been of a rather extreme and violent
character； when the party was reinforced by the arrival of some
more guests； who； being a detachment of United Bulldogs； were
received with very flattering marks of distinction and respect。
The leader of this small party—for； including himself； they were
but three in number—was our old acquaintance； Mr Tappertit；
who seemed； physically speaking； to have grown smaller with
years （particularly as to his legs； which were stupendously little）；
but who； in a moral point of view； in personal dignity and self…
esteem； had swelled into a giant。 Nor was it by any means difficult
for the most unobservant person to detect this state of feeling in
the quondam ’prentice； for it not only proclaimed itself
impressively and beyond mistake in his majestic walk and kindling
eye； but found a striking means of revelation in his turned…up
nose； which scouted all things of earth with deep disdain； and
sought communion with its kindred skies。
Mr Tappertit； as chief or captain of the Bulldogs； was attended
by his two lieutenants； one； the tall comrade of his younger life；
the other； a ’Prentice Knight in days of yore—Mark Gilbert； bound
in the olden time to Thomas Curzon of the Golden Fleece。 These
gentlemen； like himself； were now emancipated from their
’prentice thraldom； and served as journeymen； but they were； in
humble emulation of his great example； bold and daring spirits；
and aspired to a distinguished state in great political events。
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Hence their connection with the Protestant Association of
England； sanctioned by the name of Lord George Gordon； and
hence their present visit to The Boot。
‘Gentlemen！’ said Mr Tappertit； taking off his hat as a great
general might in addressing his troops。 ‘Well met。 My lord does me
and you the honour to send his compliments per self。’
‘You’ve seen my lord too； have you？’ said Dennis。 ‘I see him this
afternoon。’
‘My duty called me to the Lobby when our shop shut up； and I
saw him there； sir；’ Mr Tappertit replied； as he and his lieutenants
took their seats。 ‘How do you do？’
‘Lively； master； lively；’ said the fellow。 ‘Here’s a new brother；
regularly put down in black and white by Muster Gashford； a
credit to the cause； one of the stick…at…nothing sort； one arter my
own heart。 D’ye see him？ Has he got the looks of a man that’ll do；
do you think？’ he cried； as he slapped Hugh on the back。
‘Looks or no looks；’ said Hugh； with a drunken flourish of his
arm； ‘I’m the man you want。 I hate the Papists； every one of ’em。
They hate me and I hate them。 They do me all the harm they can；
and I’ll do them all the harm I can。 Hurrah！’
‘Was there ever；’ said Dennis； looking round the room； when
the echo of his boisterous voice bad died away； ‘was there ever
such a game boy！ Why； I mean to say； brothers； that if Muster
Gashford had gone a hundred mile and got together fifty men of
the common run； they wouldn’t have been worth this one。’
The greater part of the company implicitly subscribed to this
opinion； and testified their faith in Hugh by nods and looks of
great significance。 Mr Tappertit sat and contemplated him for a
long time in silence； as if he suspended his judgment； then drew a
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little nearer to him； and eyed him over more carefully； then went
close up to him； and took him apart into a dark corner。
‘I say；’ he began； with a thoughtful brow； ‘haven’t I seen you
before？’
‘It’s like you may；’ said Hugh； in his careless way。 ‘I don’t know；
shouldn’t wonder。’
‘No； b
