barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第169节
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convicts； and by the impatience of the crowd； warned the man
immediately behind him—the way was only wide enough for one
abreast—to stand back； and wielded a sledge…hammer with such
strength； that after a few blows the iron bent and broke； and gave
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them free admittance。
It the two sons of one of these men； of whom mention has been
made； were furious in their zeal before； they had now the wrath
and vigour of lions。 Calling to the man within each cell； to keep as
far back as he could； lest the axes crashing through the door
should wound him； a party went to work upon each one； to beat it
in by sheer strength； and force the bolts and staples from their
hold。 But although these two lads had the weakest party； and the
worst armed； and did not begin until after the others； having
stopped to whisper to him through the grate； that door was the
first open； and that man was the first out。 As they dragged him
into the gallery to knock off his irons； he fell down among them； a
mere heap of chains； and was carried out in that state on men’s
shoulders； with no sign of life。
The release of these four wretched creatures； and conveying
them； astounded and bewildered； into the streets so full of life—a
spectacle they had never thought to see again； until they emerged
from solitude and silence upon that last journey； when the air
should be heavy with the pent…up breath of thousands； and the
streets and houses should be built and roofed with human faces；
not with bricks and tiles and stones—was the crowning horror of
the scene。 Their pale and haggard looks and hollow eyes； their
staggering feet； and hands stretched out as if to save themselves
from falling； their wandering and uncertain air； the way they
heaved and gasped for breath； as though in water； when they were
first plunged into the crowd； all marked them for the men。 No
need to say ‘this one was doomed to die；’ for there were the words
broadly stamped and branded on his face。 The crowd fell off； as if
they had been laid out for burial； and had risen in their shrouds；
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and many were seen to shudder； as though they had been actually
dead men； when they chanced to touch or brush against their
garments。
At the bidding of the mob； the houses were all illuminated that
night—lighted up from top to bottom as at a time of public gaiety
and joy。 Many years afterwards； old people who lived in their
youth near this part of the city； remembered being in a great glare
of light； within doors and without； and as they looked； timid and
frightened children； from the windows； seeing a face go by。
Though the whole great crowd and all its other terrors had faded
from their recollection； this one object remained； alone； distinct；
and well remembered。 Even in the unpractised minds of infants；
one of these doomed men darting past； and but an instant seen；
was an image of force enough to dim the whole concourse； to find
itself an all…absorbing place； and hold it ever after。
When this last task had been achieved； the shouts and cries
grew fainter； the clank of fetters； which had resounded on all sides
as the prisoners escaped； was heard no more； all the noises of the
crowd subsided into a hoarse and sullen murmur as it passed into
the distance； and when the human tide had rolled away； a
melancholy heap of smoking ruins marked the spot where it had
lately chafed and roared。
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Chapter 66
lthough he had had no rest upon the previous night； and
Ahad watched with little intermission for some weeks past；
sleeping only in the day by starts and snatches； Mr
Haredale； from the dawn of morning until sunset； sought his niece
in every place where he deemed it possible she could have taken
refuge。 All day long； nothing； save a draught of water； passed his
lips； though he prosecuted his inquiries far and wide； and never so
much as sat down； once。
In every quarter he could think of； at Chigwell and in London；
at the houses of the tradespeople with whom he dealt； and of the
friends he knew； he pursued his search。 A prey to the most
harrowing anxieties and apprehensions； he went from magistrate
to magistrate； and finally to the Secretary of State。 The only
comfort he received was from this minister； who assured him that
the Government； being now driven to the exercise of the extreme
prerogatives of the Crown； were determined to exert them； that a
proclamation would probably be out upon the morrow； giving to
the military； discretionary and unlimited power in the suppression
of the riots； that the sympathies of the King； the Administration；
and both Houses of Parliament； and indeed of all good men of
every religious persuasion； were strongly with the injured
Catholics； and that justice should be done them at any cost or
hazard。 He told him； moreover； that other persons whose houses
had been burnt； had for a time lost sight of their children or their
relatives； but had； in every case； within his knowledge； succeeded
in discovering them； that his complaint should be remembered；
and fully stated in the instructions given to the officers in
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command； and to all the inferior myrmidons of justice； and that
everything that could be done to help him； should be done； with a
goodwill and in good faith。
Grateful for this consolation； feeble as it was in its reference to
the past； and little hope as it afforded him in connection with the
subject of distress which lay nearest to his heart； and really
thankful for the interest the minister expressed； and seemed to
feel； in his condition； Mr Haredale withdrew。 He found himself；
with the night coming on； alone in the streets； and destitute of any
place in which to lay his head。
He entered an hotel near Charing Cross； and ordered some
refreshment and a bed。 He saw that his faint and worn appearance
attracted the attention of the landlord and his waiters； and
thinking that they might suppose him to be penniless； took out his
purse； and laid it on the table。 It was not that； the landlord said； in
a faltering voice。 If he were one of those who had suffered by the
rioters； he durst not give him entertainment。 He had a family of
children； and had been twice warned to be careful in receiving
guests。 He heartily prayed his forgiveness； but what could he do？
Nothing。 No man felt that more sincerely than Mr Haredale。 He
told the man as much； and left the house。
Feeling that he might have anticipated this occurrence； after
what he had seen at Chigwell in the morning； where no man dared
to touch a spade； though he offered a large reward to all who
would come and dig among the ruins of his house； he walked
along the Strand； too proud to expose himself to another refusal；
and of too generous a spirit to involve in distress or ruin any
honest tradesman who might be weak enough to give him shelter。
He wandered into one of the streets by the side of the river； and
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