barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第142章
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almost every street； there was a battle； and in every quarter the
muskets of the troops were heard above the shouts and tumult of
the mob。 The firing began in the Poultry； where the chain was
drawn across the road； where nearly a score of people were killed
on the first discharge。 Their bodies having been hastily carried
into St Mildred’s Church by the soldiers； the latter fired again； and
following fast upon the crowd； who began to give way when they
saw the execution that was done； formed across Cheapside； and
charged them at the point of the bayonet。
The streets were now a dreadful spectacle。 The shouts of the
rabble； the shrieks of women； the cries of the wounded； and the
constant firing； formed a deafening and an awful accompaniment
to the sights which every corner presented。 Wherever the road
was obstructed by the chains； there the fighting and the loss of life
were greatest； but there was hot work and bloodshed in almost
every leading thoroughfare。
At Holborn Bridge； and on Holborn Hill； the confusion was
greater than in any other part； for the crowd that poured out of the
city in two great streams； one by Ludgate Hill； and one by
Newgate Street； united at that spot； and formed a mass so dense；
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that at every volley the people seemed to fall in heaps。 At this
place a large detachment of soldiery were posted； who fired； now
up Fleet Market； now up Holborn； now up Snow Hill—constantly
raking the streets in each direction。 At this place too； several large
fires were burning； so that all the terrors of that terrible night
seemed to be concentrated in one spot。
Full twenty times； the rioters； headed by one man who wielded
an axe in his right hand； and bestrode a brewer’s horse of great
size and strength； caparisoned with fetters taken out of Newgate；
which clanked and jingled as he went； made an attempt to force a
passage at this point； and fire the vintner’s house。 Full twenty
times they were repulsed with loss of life； and still came back
again； and though the fellow at their head was marked and singled
out by all； and was a conspicuous object as the only rioter on
horseback； not a man could hit him。 So surely as the smoke
cleared away； so surely there was he； calling hoarsely to his
companions； brandishing his axe above his head； and dashing on
as though he bore a charmed life； and was proof against ball and
powder。
This man was Hugh； and in every part of the riot； he was seen。
He headed two attacks upon the Bank； helped to break open the
Toll…houses on Blackfriars Bridge； and cast the money into the
street： fired two of the prisons with his own hand： was here； and
there； and everywhere—always foremost—always active—striking
at the soldiers； cheering on the crowd； making his horse’s iron
music heard through all the yell and uproar： but never hurt or
stopped。 Turn him at one place； and he made a new struggle in
another； force him to retreat at this point； and he advanced on
that； directly。 Driven from Holborn for the twentieth time； he rode
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at the head of a great crowd straight upon Saint Paul’s； attacked a
guard of soldiers who kept watch over a body of prisoners within
the iron railings； forced them to retreat； rescued the men they had
in custody； and with this accession to his party； came back again；
mad with liquor and excitement； and hallooing them on like a
demon。
It would have been no easy task for the most careful rider to sit
a horse in the midst of such a throng and tumult； but though this
madman rolled upon his back （he had no saddle） like a boat upon
the sea； he never for an instant lost his seat； or failed to guide him
where he would。 Through the very thickest of the press； over dead
bodies and burning fragments； now on the pavement； now in the
road； now riding up a flight of steps to make himself the more
conspicuous to his party； and now forcing a passage through a
mass of human beings； so closely squeezed together that it seemed
as if the edge of a knife would scarcely part them；—on he went； as
though he could surmount all obstacles by the mere exercise of his
will。 And perhaps his not being shot was in some degree
attributable to this very circumstance； for his extreme audacity；
and the conviction that he must be one of those to whom the
proclamation referred； inspired the soldiers with a desire to take
him alive； and diverted many an aim which otherwise might have
been more near the mark。
The vintner and Mr Haredale； unable to sit quietly listening to
the noise without seeing what went on； had climbed to the roof of
the house； and hiding behind a stack of chimneys； were looking
cautiously down into the street； almost hoping that after so many
repulses the rioters would be foiled； when a great shout
proclaimed that a parry were coming round the other way； and the
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dismal jingling of those accursed fetters warned them next
moment that they too were led by Hugh。 The soldiers had
advanced into Fleet Market and were dispersing the people there；
so that they came on with hardly any check； and were soon before
the house。
‘All’s over now；’ said the vintner。 ‘Fifty thousand pounds will be
scattered in a minute。 We must save ourselves。 We can do no
more； and shall have reason to be thankful if we do as much。’
Their first impulse was； to clamber along the roofs of the
houses； and； knocking at some garret window for admission； pass
down that way into the street； and so escape。 But another fierce
cry from below； and a general upturning of the faces of the crowd；
apprised them that they were discovered； and even that Mr
Haredale was recognised； for Hugh； seeing him plainly in the
bright glare of the fire； which in that part made it as light as day；
called to him by his name； and swore to have his life。
‘Leave me here；’ said Mr Haredale； ‘and in Heaven’s name； my
good friend； save yourself！ Come on！’ he muttered； as he turned
towards Hugh and faced him without any further effort at
concealment： ‘This roof is high； and if we close； we will die
together！’
‘Madness；’ said the honest vintner； pulling him back； ‘sheer
madness。 Hear reason； sir。 My good sir； hear reason。 I could never
make myself heard by knocking at a window now； and even if I
could； no one would be bold enough to connive at my escape。
Through the cellars； there’s a kind of passage into the back street
by which we roll casks in and out。 We shall have time to get down
there before they can force an entry。 Do not delay an instant； but
come with me—for both our sakes—for mine—my dear good sir！’
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As he spoke； and drew Mr Haredale back； they had both a
glimpse of the street。 It was but a glimpse； but it showed them the
crowd； gathering and clustering round the house： some of the
armed men pressing to the front to break down the doors and
windows； some bringing brands from the nearest fire； some with
lifted faces following their course upon the roof and pointing them
out to their companions： all raging and roaring like the flames
they lighted up。 They saw some men thirsting for the treasures of
strong liquor which they knew were stored within； they saw
others； who had been wounded； sinking down into the opposite
doorways and dying； solitary wretches； in the midst of all the vast
assemblage； here a frightened woman trying to escape； and there
a lost child； and there a drunken ruffian； unconscious of the death…
wound on his head； raving and fighting to the last。 All these things；
and even such trivial incidents as a man with his hat off； or
turning round； or stooping down； or shaking hands with another；
they marked distinctly； yet in a glance so brief； that； in the act of
stepping back； they lost the whole； and saw but the pale faces of
each other； and the red sky above them。
Mr Haredale yielded to the entreaties of his companion—more
because he was resolved to defend him； than for any thought he
had of his own life； or any care he entertained for his own safety—
and quickly re…entering the house； they descended the stairs
together。 Loud blows were thundering on the shutters； crowbars
were already thrust beneath the door； the glass fell from the
sashes； a deep light shone through every crevice； and they heard
the voices of the foremost in the crowd so close to every chink and
keyhole； that they seemed to be hoarsely whispering their threats
into their very ears。 They had but a moment reached the bottom of
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the cellar…steps and shut the door behind them； when the mob
broke in。
The va
