barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第174节
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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 vaults were profoundly dark； and having no torch or
candle—for they had been afraid to carry one； lest it should betray
their place of refuge—they were obliged to grope with their hands。
But they were not long without light； for they had not gone far
when they heard the crowd forcing the door； and； looking back
among the low…arched passages； could see them in the distance；
hurrying to and fro with flashing links； broaching the casks；
staving the great vats； turning off upon the right hand and the left；
into the different cellars； and lying down to drink at the channels
of strong spirits which were already flowing on the ground。
They hurried on； not the less quickly for this； and had reached
the only vault which lay between them and the passage out； when
suddenly； from the direction in which they were going； a strong
light gleamed upon their faces； and before they could slip aside； or
turn back； or hide themselves； two men （one bearing a torch） came
upon them； and cried in an astonished whisper； ‘Here they are！’
At the same instant they pulled off what they wore upon their
heads。 Mr Haredale saw before him Edward Chester； and then
saw； when the vintner gasped his name； Joe Willet。
Ay； the same Joe； though with an arm the less； who used to
make the quarterly journey on the grey mare to pay the bill to the
purple…faced vintner； and that very same purple…faced vintner；
formerly of Thames Street； now looked him in the face； and
challenged him by name。
‘Give me your hand；’ said Joe softly； taking it whether the
astonished vintner would or no。 ‘Don’t fear to shake it； it’s a
friendly one and a hearty one； though it has no fellow。 Why； how
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well you look and how bluff you are！ And you—God bless you； sir。
Take heart； take heart。 We’ll find them。 Be of good cheer； we have
not been idle。’
There was something so honest and frank in Joe’s speech； that
Mr Haredale put his hand in his involuntarily； though their
meeting was suspicious enough。 But his glance at Edward
Chester； and that gentleman’s keeping aloof； were not lost upon
Joe； who said bluntly； glancing at Edward while he spoke：
‘Times are changed； Mr Haredale； and times have come when
we ought to know friends from enemies； and make no confusion of
names。 Let me tell you that but for this gentleman； you would
most likely have been dead by this time； or badly wounded at the
best。’
‘What do you say？’ cried Mr Haredale。
‘I say；’ said Joe； ‘first； that it was a bold thing to be in the crowd
at all disguised as one of them； though I won’t say much about
that； on second thoughts； for that’s my case too。 Secondly； that it
was a brave and glorious action—that’s what I call it—to strike
that fellow off his horse before their eyes！’
‘What fellow！ Whose eyes！’
‘What fellow； sir！’ cried Joe： ‘a fellow who has no goodwill to
you； and who has the daring and devilry in him of twenty fellows。 I
know him of old。 Once in the house； he would have found you；
here or anywhere。 The rest owe you no particular grudge； and；
unless they see you； will only think of drinking themselves dead。
But we lose time。 Are you ready？’
‘Quite；’ said Edward。 ‘Put out the
