barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第125节
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and she saw him no more。
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Chapter 49
he mob had been divided from its first assemblage into
four divisions； the London； the Westminster； the
T
Southwark； and the Scotch。 Each of these divisions being
subdivided into various bodies； and these bodies being drawn up
in various forms and figures； the general arrangement was； except
to the few chiefs and leaders； as unintelligible as the plan of a
great battle to the meanest soldier in the field。 It was not without
its method； however； for； in a very short space of time after being
put in motion； the crowd had resolved itself into three great
parties； and were prepared； as had been arranged； to cross the
river by different bridges； and make for the House of Commons in
separate detachments。
At the head of that division which had Westminster Bridge for
its approach to the scene of action； Lord George Gordon took his
post； with Gashford at his right hand； and sundry ruffians； of most
unpromising appearance； forming a kind of staff about him。 The
conduct of a second party； whose route lay by Blackfriars； was
entrusted to a committee of management； including perhaps a
dozen men： while the third； which was to go by London Bridge；
and through the main streets； in order that their numbers and
their serious intentions might be the better known and
appreciated by the citizens； were led by Simon Tappertit （assisted
by a 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 the road assigned to it； and departed on its way； in perfect
order and profound silence。 That which went through the City
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greatly exceeded the others in number； and was of such
prodigious extent that when the rear began to move； the front was
nearly four miles in advance； notwithstanding that the men
marched three abreast and followed very close upon each other。
At the head of this party； in the place where Hugh； in the
madness of his humour； had stationed him； and walking between
that dangerous companion and the hangman； went Barnaby； as
many a man among the thousands who looked on that day
afterwards remembered well。 Forgetful of all other things in the
ecstasy of the moment； his face flushed and his eyes sparkling with
delight； heedless of the weight of the great banner he carried； and
mindful only of its flashing in the sun and rustling in the summer
breeze； on he went； proud； happy； elated past all telling：—the only
light…hearted； undesigning creature； in the whole assembly。
‘What do you think of this？’ asked Hugh； as they passed
through the crowded streets； and looked up at the windows which
were thronged with spectators。 ‘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’s the 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
with no very approving eyes at Barnaby as he spoke： ‘I hope he
don’t think there’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； I mean；’ he added； nudging Barnaby
roughly with his elbow。 ‘What are you staring at？ Why don’t you
speak？’
Barnaby had been gazing at his flag； and looked vacantly from
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his questioner to Hugh。
‘He don’t understand your way；’ said the latter。 ‘Here； I’ll
explain it to him。 Barnaby old boy； attend to me。’
‘I’ll attend；’ said Barnaby； looking anxiously round； ‘but I wish I
could 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 have no 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 me at 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。 ‘We an’t got no sentimental members among us； I hope。’
‘Don’t be uneasy； brother；’ cried Hugh； ‘he’s only talking of his
mother。’
‘Of his what？’ said Mr Dennis with a strong oath。
‘His mother。’
‘And have I combined myself with this here section； and turned
out on this here memorable day； to hear men talk about their
mothers！’ growled Mr Dennis with extreme disgust。 ‘The notion of
a man’s sweetheart’s bad enough； but a man’s mother！’—and here
his disgust was so extreme that he spat upon the ground； and
could say no more。
‘Barnaby’s right；’ cried Hugh with a grin； ‘and I say it。 Lookee；
bold lad。 If she’s not here to see； it’s because I’ve provided for her；
and sent half…a…dozen gentlemen； every one of ’em with a blue flag
（but not half as fine as yours）； to take her； in state； to a grand
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house all hung 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
a wink at Dennis； who regarded his new companion in arms with
great astonishment。
‘No； indeed？’ cried Barnaby。
‘Nothing at all；’ said Hugh。 ‘Money； cocked hats and feathers；
red coats and 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 man in the world—carry our flags for a few days； and
keep ’em safe。 That’s all we’ve got to do。’
‘Is that all？’ cried Barnaby with glistening eyes； as he clutched
his pole the tighter； ‘I warrant you I keep this one safe； then。 You
have put it in good hands。 You know me； Hugh。 Nobody shall
wrest this flag away。’
‘Well said！’ cried Hugh。 ‘Ha ha！ Nobly said！ That’s the old stout
Barnaby； that I have climbed and leaped with； many and many a
day—I knew I was not mistaken in Barnaby。—Don’t you see； man；’
he added in a whisper； as he slipped to the other side of Dennis；
‘that the lad’s a natural； 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； as you’d find if you tried a fall with him。 Leave
him to me。 You shall soon see 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
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former place； a
