barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第166章
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over buried gold； when two or three figures appeared in the
distance； making towards the house at a rapid pace； and
motioning with their hands as though they urged its inmates to
retreat from some approaching danger。 As they drew nearer； they
became more earnest in their gestures； and they were no sooner
within hearing； than the foremost among them cried that the
soldiers were coming up。
At these words； Barnaby furled his flag； and tied it round the
pole。 His heart beat high while he did so； but he had no more fear
or thought of retreating than the pole itself。 The friendly stragglers
hurried past him； after giving him notice of his danger； and
quickly passed into the house； where the utmost confusion
immediately prevailed。 As those within hastily closed the windows
and the doors； they urged him by looks and signs to fly without
loss of time； and called to him many times to do so； but he only
shook his head indignantly in answer； and stood the firmer on his
post。 Finding that he was not to be persuaded； they took care of
themselves； and leaving the place with only one old woman in it；
speedily withdrew。
As yet there had been no symptom of the news having any
better foundation than in the fears of those who brought it； but
The Boot had not been deserted five minutes； when there
appeared； coming across the fields； a body of men who； it was easy
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to see； by the glitter of their arms and ornaments in the sun； and
by their orderly and regular mode of advancing—for they came on
as one man—were soldiers。 In a very little time； Barnaby knew
that they were a strong detachment of the Foot Guards； having
along with them two gentlemen in private clothes； and a small
party of Horse； the latter brought up the rear； and were not in
number more than six or eight。
They advanced steadily； neither quickening their pace as they
came nearer； nor raising any cry； nor showing the least emotion or
anxiety。 Though this was a matter of course in the case of regular
troops； even to Barnaby； there was something particularly
impressive and disconcerting in it to one accustomed to the noise
and tumult of an undisciplined mob。 For all that； he stood his
ground not a whit the less resolutely； and looked on undismayed。
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
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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
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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
upo
