barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第150章
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Barnaby Rudge 557
Chapter 52
mob is usually a creature of very mysterious existence；
Aparticularly in a large city。 Where it comes from or
whither 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 and the same
mob was at both places。 Yet 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
head…quarters 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
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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 on 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 humour 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
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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：
‘Ay； ay； you knew him； brother； you knew him。 But who’d
suppose to look at that chap now； that he could be the man he is！
Isn’t it a thousand cruel pities； brother； that instead of taking his
nat’ral rest and qualifying himself for further exertions in this here
honourable cause； 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 any one 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 peacock’s feathers into his hat
when he’d done washing—ah！ I’m sorry he’s such a imperfect
character； but the best on us is incomplete in some pint of view 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
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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； and his erect 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 Hugh 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； in 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！’ sa
