barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第174章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
roared and shouted himself into silence by this time。 They were
proceeding onward without noise； when a scout who had been
creeping about the ditches all night； to warn any stragglers from
encroaching further on what was now such dangerous ground；
peeped cautiously from his hiding…place； and called to them to
stop。
‘Stop！ and why？’ said Hugh。
Because （the scout replied） the house was filled with constables
and soldiers； having been surprised that afternoon。 The inmates
had fled or been taken into custody； he could not say which。 He
had prevented a great many people from approaching nearer； and
he believed they had gone to the markets and such places to pass
the night。 He had seen the distant fires； but they were all out now。
He had heard the people who passed and repassed； speaking of
them too； and could report that the prevailing opinion was one of
apprehension and dismay。 He had not heard a word of Barnaby—
didn’t even know his name—but it had been said in his hearing
that some man had been taken and carried off to Newgate。
Whether this was true or false； he could not affirm。
The three took counsel together； on hearing this； and debated
what it might be best to do。 Hugh； deeming it possible that
Barnaby was in the hands of the soldiers； and at that moment
under detention at The Boot； was for advancing stealthily； and
firing the house； but his companions； who objected to such rash
measures unless they had a crowd at their backs； represented that
if Barnaby were taken he had assuredly been removed to a
stronger prison； they would never have dreamed of keeping him
all night in a place so weak and open to attack。 Yielding to this
reasoning； and to their persuasions； Hugh consented to turn back
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 645…
Barnaby Rudge 646
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。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 646…
Barnaby Rudge 647
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
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 647…
Barnaby Rudge 648
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 ro
