Chapter 49
The mob had been divided from its first assemblage into four divisions;the London, the Westminster, the Southwark, and the Scotch. Each ofthese divisions being subdivided into various bodies, and these bodiesbeing drawn up in various forms and figures, the general arrangementwas, except to the few chiefs and leaders, as unintelligible as theplan of a great battle to the meanest soldier in the field. It was notwithout its method, however; for, in a very short space of time afterbeing put in motion, the crowd had resolved itself into three greatparties, and were prepared, as had been arranged, to cross the riverby different bridges, and make for the House of Commons in separatedetachments.
At the head of that division which had Westminster Bridge for itsapproach to the scene of action, Lord George Gordon took his post; withGashford at his right hand, and sundry ruffians, of most unpromisingappearance, forming a kind of staff about him. The conduct of a secondparty, whose route lay by Blackfriars, was entrusted to a committee ofmanagement, including perhaps a dozen men: while the third, which was togo by London Bridge, and through the main streets, in order that theirnumbers and their serious intentions might be the better known andappreciated by the citizens, were led by Simon Tappertit (assisted bya few subalterns, selected from the Brotherhood of United Bulldogs),Dennis the hangman, Hugh, and some others.
The word of command being given, each of these great bodies took theroad assigned to it, and departed on its way, in perfect order andprofound silence. That which went through the City greatly exceeded theothers in number, and was of such prodigious extent that when therear began to move, the front was nearly four miles in advance,notwithstanding that the men marched three abreast and followed veryclose upon each other.
At the head of this party, in the place where Hugh, in the madnessof his humour, had stationed him, and walking between that dangerouscompanion and the hangman, went Barnaby; as many a man among thethousands who looked on that day afterwards remembered well. Forgetfulof all other things in the ecstasy of the moment, his face flushed andhis eyes sparkling with delight, heedless of the weight of the greatbanner he carried, and mindful only of its flashing in the sun andrustling in the summer breeze, on he went, proud, happy, elated pastall telling:--the only light-hearted, undesigning creature, in the wholeassembly.
'What do you think of this?' asked Hugh, as they passed through thecrowded streets, and looked up at the windows which were thronged withspectators. 'They have all turned out to see our flags and streamers?Eh, Barnaby? Why, Barnaby's the greatest man of all the pack! His flag'sthe largest of the lot, the brightest too. There's nothing in the show,like Barnaby. All eyes are turned on him. Ha ha ha!'
'Don't make that din, brother,' growled the hangman, glancing withno very approving eyes at Barnaby as he spoke: 'I hope he don't thinkthere's nothing to be done, but carrying that there piece of blue rag,like a boy at a breaking up. You're ready for action I hope, eh? You, Imean,' he added, nudging Barnaby roughly with his elbow. 'What are youstaring at? Why don't you speak?'
Barnaby had been gazing at his flag, and looked vacantly from hisquestioner to Hugh.
'He don't understand your way,' said the latter. 'Here, I'll explain itto him. Barnaby old boy, attend to me.'
'I'll attend,' said Barnaby, looking anxiously round; 'but I wish Icould see her somewhere.'
'See who?' demanded Dennis in a gruff tone. 'You an't in love I hope,brother? That an't the sort of thing for us, you know. We mustn't haveno love here.'
'She would be proud indeed to see me now, eh Hugh?' said Barnaby.'Wouldn't it make her glad to see me at the head of this large show?She'd cry for joy, I know she would. Where CAN she be? She never sees meat my best, and what do I care to be gay and fine if SHE'S not by?'
'Why, what palaver's this?' asked Mr Dennis with supreme disdain. 'Wean't got no sentimental members among us, I hope.'
'Don't be uneasy, brother,' cried Hugh, 'he's only talking of hismother.'
'Of his what?' said Mr Dennis with a strong oath.
'His mother.'
'And have I combined myself with this here section, and turned out onthis here memorable day, to hear men talk about their mothers!' growledMr Dennis with extreme disgust. 'The notion of a man's sweetheart's badenough, but a man's mother!'--and here his disgust was so extreme thathe spat upon the ground, and could say no more.
'Barnaby's right,' cried Hugh with a grin, 'and I say it. Lookee, boldlad. If she's not here to see, it's because I've provided for her, andsent half-a-dozen gentlemen, every one of 'em with a blue flag (but nothalf as fine as yours), to take her, in state, to a grand house allhung round with gold and silver banners, and everything else you please,where she'll wait till you come, and want for nothing.'
'Ay!' said Barnaby, his face beaming with delight: 'have you indeed?That's a good hearing. That's fine! Kind Hugh!'
'But nothing to what will come, bless you,' retorted Hugh, with awink at Dennis, who regarded his new companion in arms with greatastonishment.
'No, indeed?' cried Barnaby.
'Nothing at all,' said Hugh. 'Money, cocked hats and feathers, red coatsand gold lace; all the fine things there are, ever were, or will be;will belong to us if we are true to that noble gentleman--the best manin the world--carry our flags for a few days, and keep 'em safe. That'sall we've got to do.'
'Is that all?' cried Barnaby with glistening eyes, as he clutched hispole the tighter; 'I warrant you I keep this one safe, then. You haveput it in good hands. You know me, Hugh. Nobody shall wrest this flagaway.'
'Well said!' cried Hugh. 'Ha ha! Nobly said! That's the old stoutBarnaby, that I have climbed and leaped with, many and many a day--Iknew I was not mistaken in Barnaby.--Don't you see, man,' he added ina whisper, as he slipped to the other side of Dennis, 'that the lad's anatural, and can be got to do anything, if you take him the right way?Letting alone the fun he is, he's worth a dozen men, in earnest, asyou'd find if you tried a fall with him. Leave him to me. You shall soonsee whether he's of use or not.'
Mr Dennis received these explanatory remarks with many nods and winks,and softened his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment. Hugh,laying his finger on his nose, stepped back into his former place, andthey proceeded in silence.
It was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon when the threegreat parties met at Westminster, and, uniting into one huge mass,raised a tremendous shout. This was not only done in token of theirpresence, but as a signal to those on whom the task devolved, that itwas time to take possession of the lobbies of both Houses, and ofthe various avenues of approach, and of the gallery stairs. To thelast-named place, Hugh and Dennis, still with their pupil between them,rushed straightway; Barnaby having given his flag into the hands of oneof their own party, who kept them at the outer door. Their followerspressing on behind, they were borne as on a great wave to the very doorsof the gallery, whence it was impossible to retreat, even if they hadbeen so inclined, by reason of the throng which choked up the passages.It is a familiar expression in describing a great crowd, that a personmight have walked upon the people's heads. In this case it was actuallydone; for a boy who had by some means got among the concourse, and wasin imminent danger of suffocation, climbed to the shoulders of a manbeside him and walked upon the people's hats and heads into the openstreet; traversing in his passage the whole length of two staircases anda long gallery. Nor was the swarm without less dense; for a basketwhich had been tossed into the crowd, was jerked from head to head,and shoulder to shoulder, and went spinning and whirling on above them,until it was lost to view, without ever once falling in among them orcoming near the ground.
Through this vast throng, sprinkled doubtless here and there with honestzealots, but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuseof London, whose growth was fostered by bad criminal laws, bad prisonregulations, and the worst conceivable police, such of the members ofboth Houses of Parliament as had not taken the precaution to be alreadyat their posts, were compelled to fight and force their way. Theirca
rriages were stopped and broken; the wheels wrenched off; the glassesshivered to atoms; the panels beaten in; drivers, footmen, and masters,pulled from their seats and rolled in the mud. Lords, commoners, andreverend bishops, with little distinction of person or party, werekicked and pinched and hustled; passed from hand to hand through variousstages of ill-usage; and sent to their fellow-senators at last withtheir clothes hanging in ribands about them, their bagwigs torn off,themselves speechless and breathless, and their persons covered with thepowder which had been cuffed and beaten out of their hair. One lord wasso long in the hands of the populace, that the Peers as a body resolvedto sally forth and rescue him, and were in the act of doing so, when hehappily appeared among them covered with dirt and bruises, and hardly tobe recognised by those who knew him best. The noise and uproar were onthe increase every moment. The air was filled with execrations, hoots,and howlings. The mob raged and roared, like a mad monster as it was,unceasingly, and each new outrage served to swell its fury.
Within doors, matters were even yet more threatening. LordGeorge--preceded by a man who carried the immense petition on a porter'sknot through the lobby to the door of the House of Commons, where itwas received by two officers of the house who rolled it up to the tableready for presentation--had taken his seat at an early hour, before theSpeaker went to prayers. His followers pouring in at the same time, thelobby and all the avenues were immediately filled, as we have seen. Thusthe members were not only attacked in their passage through the streets,but were set upon within the very walls of Parliament; while the tumult,both within and without, was so great, that those who attempted to speakcould scarcely hear their own voices: far less, consult upon the courseit would be wise to take in such extremity, or animate each other todignified and firm resistance. So sure as any member, just arrived, withdress disordered and dishevelled hair, came struggling through the crowdin the lobby, it yelled and screamed in triumph; and when the doorof the House, partially and cautiously opened by those within for hisadmission, gave them a momentary glimpse of the interior, they grewmore wild and savage, like beasts at the sight of prey, and made a rushagainst the portal which strained its locks and bolts in their staples,and shook the very beams.
The strangers' gallery, which was immediately above the door of theHouse, had been ordered to be closed on the first rumour of disturbance,and was empty; save that now and then Lord George took his seat there,for the convenience of coming to the head of the stairs which led toit, and repeating to the people what had passed within. It was onthese stairs that Barnaby, Hugh, and Dennis were posted. There were twoflights, short, steep, and narrow, running parallel to each other,and leading to two little doors communicating with a low passage whichopened on the gallery. Between them was a kind of well, or unglazedskylight, for the admission of light and air into the lobby, which mightbe some eighteen or twenty feet below.
Upon one of these little staircases--not that at the head of which LordGeorge appeared from time to time, but the other--Gashford stood withhis elbow on the bannister, and his cheek resting on his hand, with hisusual crafty aspect. Whenever he varied this attitude in the slightestdegree--so much as by the gentlest motion of his arm--the uproar wascertain to increase, not merely there, but in the lobby below; fromwhich place no doubt, some man who acted as fugleman to the rest, wasconstantly looking up and watching him.
'Order!' cried Hugh, in a voice which made itself heard even above theroar and tumult, as Lord George appeared at the top of the staircase.'News! News from my lord!'
The noise continued, notwithstanding his appearance, until Gashfordlooked round. There was silence immediately--even among the people inthe passages without, and on the other staircases, who could neithersee nor hear, but to whom, notwithstanding, the signal was conveyed withmarvellous rapidity.
'Gentlemen,' said Lord George, who was very pale and agitated, 'we mustbe firm. They talk of delays, but we must have no delays. They talk oftaking your petition into consideration next Tuesday, but we must haveit considered now. Present appearances look bad for our success, but wemust succeed and will!'
'We must succeed and will!' echoed the crowd. And so among their shoutsand cheers and other cries, he bowed to them and retired, and presentlycame back again. There was another gesture from Gashford, and a deadsilence directly.
'I am afraid,' he said, this time, 'that we have little reason,gentlemen, to hope for any redress from the proceedings of Parliament.But we must redress our own grievances, we must meet again, we must putour trust in Providence, and it will bless our endeavours.'
This speech being a little more temperate than the last, was not sofavourably received. When the noise and exasperation were at theirheight, he came back once more, and told them that the alarm had goneforth for many miles round; that when the King heard of their assemblingtogether in that great body, he had no doubt, His Majesty would senddown private orders to have their wishes complied with; and--with themanner of his speech as childish, irresolute, and uncertain as hismatter--was proceeding in this strain, when two gentlemen suddenlyappeared at the door where he stood, and pressing past him and coming astep or two lower down upon the stairs, confronted the people.
The boldness of this action quite took them by surprise. They werenot the less disconcerted, when one of the gentlemen, turning to LordGeorge, spoke thus--in a loud voice that they might hear him well, butquite coolly and collectedly:
'You may tell these people, if you please, my lord, that I am GeneralConway of whom they have heard; and that I oppose this petition, and alltheir proceedings, and yours. I am a soldier, you may tell them, and Iwill protect the freedom of this place with my sword. You see, my lord,that the members of this House are all in arms to-day; you know that theentrance to it is a narrow one; you cannot be ignorant that there aremen within these walls who are determined to defend that pass to thelast, and before whom many lives must fall if your adherents persevere.Have a care what you do.'
'And my Lord George,' said the other gentleman, addressing him in likemanner, 'I desire them to hear this, from me--Colonel Gordon--yournear relation. If a man among this crowd, whose uproar strikes us deaf,crosses the threshold of the House of Commons, I swear to run my swordthat moment--not into his, but into your body!'
With that, they stepped back again, keeping their faces towards thecrowd; took each an arm of the misguided nobleman; drew him into thepassage, and shut the door; which they directly locked and fastened onthe inside.
This was so quickly done, and the demeanour of both gentlemen--whowere not young men either--was so gallant and resolute, that the crowdfaltered and stared at each other with irresolute and timid looks. Manytried to turn towards the door; some of the faintest-hearted cried theyhad best go back, and called to those behind to give way; and the panicand confusion were increasing rapidly, when Gashford whispered Hugh.
'What now!' Hugh roared aloud, turning towards them. 'Why go back? Wherecan you do better than here, boys! One good rush against these doors andone below at the same time, will do the business. Rush on, then! As tothe door below, let those stand back who are afraid. Let those who arenot afraid, try who shall be the first to pass it. Here goes! Look outdown there!'
Without the delay of an instant, he threw himself headlong over thebannisters into the lobby below. He had hardly touched the ground whenBarnaby was at his side. The chaplain's assistant, and some members whowere imploring the people to retire, immediately withdrew; and then,with a great shout, both crowds threw themselves against the doorspell-mell, and besieged the House in earnest.
At that moment, when a second onset must have brought them intocollision with those who stood on the defensive within, in which casegreat loss of life and bloodshed would inevitably have ensued,--thehindmost portion of the crowd gave way, and the rumour spread from mouthto mouth that a messenger had been despatched by water for the military,who were forming in the street. Fearful of sustaining a charge in thenarrow passages in which they were so closely wedged together, thethrong poure
d out as impetuously as they had flocked in. As the wholestream turned at once, Barnaby and Hugh went with it: and so, fightingand struggling and trampling on fallen men and being trampled on in turnthemselves, they and the whole mass floated by degrees into the openstreet, where a large detachment of the Guards, both horse and foot,came hurrying up; clearing the ground before them so rapidly that thepeople seemed to melt away as they advanced.
The word of command to halt being given, the soldiers formed across thestreet; the rioters, breathless and exhausted with their late exertions,formed likewise, though in a very irregular and disorderly manner. Thecommanding officer rode hastily into the open space between the twobodies, accompanied by a magistrate and an officer of the House ofCommons, for whose accommodation a couple of troopers had hastilydismounted. The Riot Act was read, but not a man stirred.
In the first rank of the insurgents, Barnaby and Hugh stood side byside. Somebody had thrust into Barnaby's hands when he came out into thestreet, his precious flag; which, being now rolled up and tied roundthe pole, looked like a giant quarter-staff as he grasped it firmly andstood upon his guard. If ever man believed with his whole heart and soulthat he was engaged in a just cause, and that he was bound to stand byhis leader to the last, poor Barnaby believed it of himself and LordGeorge Gordon.
After an ineffectual attempt to make himself heard, the magistrate gavethe word and the Horse Guards came riding in among the crowd. But, eventhen, he galloped here and there, exhorting the people to disperse; and,although heavy stones were thrown at the men, and some were desperatelycut and bruised, they had no orders but to make prisoners of such of therioters as were the most active, and to drive the people back with theflat of their sabres. As the horses came in among them, the throng gaveway at many points, and the Guards, following up their advantage, wererapidly clearing the ground, when two or three of the foremost, who werein a manner cut off from the rest by the people closing round them, madestraight towards Barnaby and Hugh, who had no doubt been pointed out asthe two men who dropped into the lobby: laying about them now with someeffect, and inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents, a fewslight flesh wounds, under the influence of which a man dropped,here and there, into the arms of his fellows, amid much groaning andconfusion.
At the sight of gashed and bloody faces, seen for a moment in the crowd,then hidden by the press around them, Barnaby turned pale and sick. Buthe stood his ground, and grasping his pole more firmly yet, kept hiseye fixed upon the nearest soldier--nodding his head meanwhile, as Hugh,with a scowling visage, whispered in his ear.
The soldier came spurring on, making his horse rear as the peoplepressed about him, cutting at the hands of those who would have graspedhis rein and forced his charger back, and waving to his comrades tofollow--and still Barnaby, without retreating an inch, waited for hiscoming. Some called to him to fly, and some were in the very act ofclosing round him, to prevent his being taken, when the pole swept intothe air above the people's heads, and the man's saddle was empty in aninstant.
Then, he and Hugh turned and fled, the crowd opening to let them pass,and closing up again so quickly that there was no clue to the coursethey had taken. Panting for breath, hot, dusty, and exhausted withfatigue, they reached the riverside in safety, and getting into a boatwith all despatch were soon out of any immediate danger.
As they glided down the river, they plainly heard the people cheering;and supposing they might have forced the soldiers to retreat, lay upontheir oars for a few minutes, uncertain whether to return or not. Butthe crowd passing along Westminster Bridge, soon assured them that thepopulace were dispersing; and Hugh rightly guessed from this, thatthey had cheered the magistrate for offering to dismiss the military oncondition of their immediate departure to their several homes, and thathe and Barnaby were better where they were. He advised, therefore, thatthey should proceed to Blackfriars, and, going ashore at the bridge,make the best of their way to The Boot; where there was not only goodentertainment and safe lodging, but where they would certainly be joinedby many of their late companions. Barnaby assenting, they decided onthis course of action, and pulled for Blackfriars accordingly.
They landed at a critical time, and fortunately for themselves at theright moment. For, coming into Fleet Street, they found it in an unusualstir; and inquiring the cause, were told that a body of Horse Guards hadjust galloped past, and that they were escorting some rioters whom theyhad made prisoners, to Newgate for safety. Not at all ill-pleased tohave so narrowly escaped the cavalcade, they lost no more time in askingquestions, but hurried to The Boot with as much speed as Hugh consideredit prudent to make, without appearing singular or attracting aninconvenient share of public notice.
Chapter 50
They were among the first to reach the tavern, but they had not beenthere many minutes, when several groups of men who had formed part ofthe crowd, came straggling in. Among them were Simon Tappertit and MrDennis; both of whom, but especially the latter, greeted Barnaby withthe utmost warmth, and paid him many compliments on the prowess he hadshown.
'Which,' said Dennis, with an oath, as he rested his bludgeon in acorner with his hat upon it, and took his seat at the same table withthem, 'it does me good to think of. There was a opportunity! But itled to nothing. For my part, I don't know what would. There's no spiritamong the people in these here times. Bring something to eat and drinkhere. I'm disgusted with humanity.'
'On what account?' asked Mr Tappertit, who had been quenching his fieryface in a half-gallon can. 'Don't you consider this a good beginning,mister?'
'Give me security that it an't a ending,' rejoined the hangman. 'Whenthat soldier went down, we might have made London ours; but no;--westand, and gape, and look on--the justice (I wish he had had a bullet ineach eye, as he would have had, if we'd gone to work my way) says,"My lads, if you'll give me your word to disperse, I'll order off themilitary," our people sets up a hurrah, throws up the game with thewinning cards in their hands, and skulks away like a pack of tame cursas they are. Ah,' said the hangman, in a tone of deep disgust, 'it makesme blush for my feller creeturs. I wish I had been born a ox, I do!'
'You'd have been quite as agreeable a character if you had been, Ithink,' returned Simon Tappertit, going out in a lofty manner.
'Don't be too sure of that,' rejoined the hangman, calling after him;'if I was a horned animal at the present moment, with the smallestgrain of sense, I'd toss every man in this company, excepting them two,'meaning Hugh and Barnaby, 'for his manner of conducting himself thisday.'
With which mournful review of their proceedings, Mr Dennis soughtconsolation in cold boiled beef and beer; but without at all relaxingthe grim and dissatisfied expression of his face, the gloom of which wasrather deepened than dissipated by their grateful influence.
The company who were thus libelled might have retaliated by strongwords, if not by blows, but they were dispirited and worn out. Thegreater part of them had fasted since morning; all had sufferedextremely from the excessive heat; and between the day's shouting,exertion, and excitement, many had quite lost their voices, and so muchof their strength that they could hardly stand. Then they were uncertainwhat to do next, fearful of the consequences of what they had donealready, and sensible that after all they had carried no point, but hadindeed left matters worse than they had found them. Of those who hadcome to The Boot, many dropped off within an hour; such of them as werereally honest and sincere, never, after the morning's experience, toreturn, or to hold any communication with their late companions. Othersremained but to refresh themselves, and then went home desponding;others who had theretofore been regular in their attendance, avoided theplace altogether. The half-dozen prisoners whom the Guards had taken,were magnified by report into half-a-hundred at least; and theirfriends, being faint and sober, so slackened in their energy, and sodrooped beneath these dispiriting influences, that by eight o'clock inthe evening, Dennis, Hugh, and Barnaby, were left alone. Even they werefast asleep upon the benches, when Gashford's entrance rou
sed them.
'Oh! you ARE here then?' said the Secretary. 'Dear me!'
'Why, where should we be, Muster Gashford!' Dennis rejoined as he roseinto a sitting posture.
'Oh nowhere, nowhere,' he returned with excessive mildness. 'The streetsare filled with blue cockades. I rather thought you might have beenamong them. I am glad you are not.'
'You have orders for us, master, then?' said Hugh.
'Oh dear, no. Not I. No orders, my good fellow. What orders should Ihave? You are not in my service.'
'Muster Gashford,' remonstrated Dennis, 'we belong to the cause, don'twe?'
'The cause!' repeated the secretary, looking at him in a sort ofabstraction. 'There is no cause. The cause is lost.'
'Lost!'
'Oh yes. You have heard, I suppose? The petition is rejected by ahundred and ninety-two, to six. It's quite final. We might have sparedourselves some trouble. That, and my lord's vexation, are the onlycircumstances I regret. I am quite satisfied in all other respects.'
As he said this, he took a penknife from his pocket, and putting hishat upon his knee, began to busy himself in ripping off the blue cockadewhich he had worn all day; at the same time humming a psalm tune whichhad been very popular in the morning, and dwelling on it with a gentleregret.
His two adherents looked at each other, and at him, as if they were at aloss how to pursue the subject. At length Hugh, after some elbowing andwinking between himself and Mr Dennis, ventured to stay his hand, and toask him why he meddled with that riband in his hat.
'Because,' said the secretary, looking up with something between a snarland a smile; 'because to sit still and wear it, or to fall asleep andwear it, is a mockery. That's all, friend.'
'What would you have us do, master!' cried Hugh.
'Nothing,' returned Gashford, shrugging his shoulders, 'nothing. When mylord was reproached and threatened for standing by you, I, as a prudentman, would have had you do nothing. When the soldiers were trampling youunder their horses' feet, I would have had you do nothing. When one ofthem was struck down by a daring hand, and I saw confusion and dismay inall their faces, I would have had you do nothing--just what you did,in short. This is the young man who had so little prudence and so muchboldness. Ah! I am sorry for him.'
'Sorry, master!' cried Hugh.
'Sorry, Muster Gashford!' echoed Dennis.
'In case there should be a proclamation out to-morrow, offering fivehundred pounds, or some such trifle, for his apprehension; and in caseit should include another man who dropped into the lobby from the stairsabove,' said Gashford, coldly; 'still, do nothing.'
'Fire and fury, master!' cried Hugh, starting up. 'What have we done,that you should talk to us like this!'
'Nothing,' returned Gashford with a sneer. 'If you are cast into prison;if the young man--' here he looked hard at Barnaby's attentive face--'isdragged from us and from his friends; perhaps from people whom he loves,and whom his death would kill; is thrown into jail, brought out andhanged before their eyes; still, do nothing. You'll find it your bestpolicy, I have no doubt.'
'Come on!' cried Hugh, striding towards the door. 'Dennis--Barnaby--comeon!'
'Where? To do what?' said Gashford, slipping past him, and standing withhis back against it.
'Anywhere! Anything!' cried Hugh. 'Stand aside, master, or the windowwill serve our turn as well. Let us out!'
'Ha ha ha! You are of such--of such an impetuous nature,' said Gashford,changing his manner for one of the utmost good fellowship and thepleasantest raillery; 'you are such an excitable creature--but you'lldrink with me before you go?'
'Oh, yes--certainly,' growled Dennis, drawing his sleeve across histhirsty lips. 'No malice, brother. Drink with Muster Gashford!'
Hugh wiped his heated brow, and relaxed into a smile. The artfulsecretary laughed outright.
'Some liquor here! Be quick, or he'll not stop, even for that. He is aman of such desperate ardour!' said the smooth secretary, whom Mr Denniscorroborated with sundry nods and muttered oaths--'Once roused, he is afellow of such fierce determination!'
Hugh poised his sturdy arm aloft, and clapping Barnaby on the back,bade him fear nothing. They shook hands together--poor Barnaby evidentlypossessed with the idea that he was among the most virtuous anddisinterested heroes in the world--and Gashford laughed again.
'I hear,' he said smoothly, as he stood among them with a great measureof liquor in his hand, and filled their glasses as quickly and asoften as they chose, 'I hear--but I cannot say whether it be true orfalse--that the men who are loitering in the streets to-night are halfdisposed to pull down a Romish chapel or two, and that they only wantleaders. I even heard mention of those in Duke Street, Lincoln's InnFields, and in Warwick Street, Golden Square; but common report, youknow--You are not going?'
--'To do nothing, master, eh?' cried Hugh. 'No jails and halter forBarnaby and me. They must be frightened out of that. Leaders are wanted,are they? Now boys!'
'A most impetuous fellow!' cried the secretary. 'Ha ha! A courageous,boisterous, most vehement fellow! A man who--'
There was no need to finish the sentence, for they had rushed out of thehouse, and were far beyond hearing. He stopped in the middle of a laugh,listened, drew on his gloves, and, clasping his hands behind him, pacedthe deserted room for a long time, then bent his steps towards the busytown, and walked into the streets.
They were filled with people, for the rumour of that day's proceedingshad made a great noise. Those persons who did not care to leave home,were at their doors or windows, and one topic of discourse prevailedon every side. Some reported that the riots were effectually put down;others that they had broken out again: some said that Lord George Gordonhad been sent under a strong guard to the Tower; others that an attempthad been made upon the King's life, that the soldiers had been againcalled out, and that the noise of musketry in a distant part of the townhad been plainly heard within an hour. As it grew darker, these storiesbecame more direful and mysterious; and often, when some frightenedpassenger ran past with tidings that the rioters were not far off,and were coming up, the doors were shut and barred, lower windowsmade secure, and as much consternation engendered, as if the city wereinvaded by a foreign army.
Gashford walked stealthily about, listening to all he heard, anddiffusing or confirming, whenever he had an opportunity, such falseintelligence as suited his own purpose; and, busily occupied in thisway, turned into Holborn for the twentieth time, when a great many womenand children came flying along the street--often panting and lookingback--and the confused murmur of numerous voices struck upon his ear.Assured by these tokens, and by the red light which began to flashupon the houses on either side, that some of his friends were indeedapproaching, he begged a moment's shelter at a door which opened as hepassed, and running with some other persons to an upper window, lookedout upon the crowd.
They had torches among them, and the chief faces were distinctlyvisible. That they had been engaged in the destruction of some buildingwas sufficiently apparent, and that it was a Catholic place of worshipwas evident from the spoils they bore as trophies, which were easilyrecognisable for the vestments of priests, and rich fragments of altarfurniture. Covered with soot, and dirt, and dust, and lime; theirgarments torn to rags; their hair hanging wildly about them; their handsand faces jagged and bleeding with the wounds of rusty nails; Barnaby,Hugh, and Dennis hurried on before them all, like hideous madmen. Afterthem, the dense throng came fighting on: some singing; some shouting intriumph; some quarrelling among themselves; some menacing the spectatorsas they passed; some with great wooden fragments, on which they spenttheir rage as if they had been alive, rending them limb from limb,and hurling the scattered morsels high into the air; some in a drunkenstate, unconscious of the hurts they had received from falling bricks,and stones, and beams; one borne upon a shutter, in the very midst,covered with a dingy cloth, a senseless, ghastly heap. Thus--a visionof coarse faces, with here and there a blot of flaring, smoky light; adream of demon heads and sav
age eyes, and sticks and iron bars upliftedin the air, and whirled about; a bewildering horror, in which so muchwas seen, and yet so little, which seemed so long, and yet so short, inwhich there were so many phantoms, not to be forgotten all through life,and yet so many things that could not be observed in one distractingglimpse--it flitted onward, and was gone.
As it passed away upon its work of wrath and ruin, a piercing scream washeard. A knot of persons ran towards the spot; Gashford, who just thenemerged into the street, among them. He was on the outskirts of thelittle concourse, and could not see or hear what passed within; but onewho had a better place, informed him that a widow woman had descried herson among the rioters.
'Is that all?' said the secretary, turning his face homewards. 'Well! Ithink this looks a little more like business!'