Barnaby Rudge: A Tale of the Riots of 'Eighty

by Charles Dickens

  Chapter 60

  The three worthies turned their faces towards The Boot, with theintention of passing the night in that place of rendezvous, and ofseeking the repose they so much needed in the shelter of their oldden; for now that the mischief and destruction they had purposed wereachieved, and their prisoners were safely bestowed for the night, theybegan to be conscious of exhaustion, and to feel the wasting effects ofthe madness which had led to such deplorable results.

  Notwithstanding the lassitude and fatigue which oppressed him now, incommon with his two companions, and indeed with all who had taken anactive share in that night's work, Hugh's boisterous merriment broke outafresh whenever he looked at Simon Tappertit, and vented itself--much tothat gentleman's indignation--in such shouts of laughter as bade fair tobring the watch upon them, and involve them in a skirmish, to which intheir present worn-out condition they might prove by no means equal.Even Mr Dennis, who was not at all particular on the score of gravityor dignity, and who had a great relish for his young friend's eccentrichumours, took occasion to remonstrate with him on this imprudentbehaviour, which he held to be a species of suicide, tantamount to aman's working himself off without being overtaken by the law, than whichhe could imagine nothing more ridiculous or impertinent.

  Not abating one jot of his noisy mirth for these remonstrances, Hughreeled along between them, having an arm of each, until they hove insight of The Boot, and were within a field or two of that convenienttavern. He happened by great good luck to have roared and shoutedhimself into silence by this time. They were proceeding onward withoutnoise, when a scout who had been creeping about the ditches all night,to warn any stragglers from encroaching further on what was now suchdangerous ground, peeped cautiously from his hiding-place, and called tothem to stop.

  'Stop! and why?' said Hugh.

  Because (the scout replied) the house was filled with constables andsoldiers; having been surprised that afternoon. The inmates had fledor been taken into custody, he could not say which. He had prevented agreat many people from approaching nearer, and he believed they hadgone to the markets and such places to pass the night. He had seen thedistant fires, but they were all out now. He had heard the people whopassed and repassed, speaking of them too, and could report that theprevailing opinion was one of apprehension and dismay. He had not hearda word of Barnaby--didn't even know his name--but it had been said inhis hearing that some man had been taken and carried off to Newgate.Whether this was true or false, he could not affirm.

  The three took counsel together, on hearing this, and debated what itmight be best to do. Hugh, deeming it possible that Barnaby was in thehands of the soldiers, and at that moment under detention at The Boot,was for advancing stealthily, and firing the house; but his companions,who objected to such rash measures unless they had a crowd at theirbacks, represented that if Barnaby were taken he had assuredly beenremoved to a stronger prison; they would never have dreamed of keepinghim all night in a place so weak and open to attack. Yielding to thisreasoning, and to their persuasions, Hugh consented to turn back andto repair to Fleet Market; for which place, it seemed, a few of theirboldest associates had shaped their course, on receiving the sameintelligence.

  Feeling their strength recruited and their spirits roused, now thatthere was a new necessity for action, they hurried away, quite forgetfulof the fatigue under which they had been sinking but a few minutesbefore; and soon arrived at their new place of destination.

  Fleet Market, at that time, was a long irregular row of wooden shedsand penthouses, occupying the centre of what is now called FarringdonStreet. They were jumbled together in a most unsightly fashion, in themiddle of the road; to the great obstruction of the thoroughfare and theannoyance of passengers, who were fain to make their way, as they bestcould, among carts, baskets, barrows, trucks, casks, bulks, and benches,and to jostle with porters, hucksters, waggoners, and a motley crowdof buyers, sellers, pick-pockets, vagrants, and idlers. The air wasperfumed with the stench of rotten leaves and faded fruit; the refuse ofthe butchers' stalls, and offal and garbage of a hundred kinds. Itwas indispensable to most public conveniences in those days, that theyshould be public nuisances likewise; and Fleet Market maintained theprinciple to admiration.

  To this place, perhaps because its sheds and baskets were a tolerablesubstitute for beds, or perhaps because it afforded the means of a hastybarricade in case of need, many of the rioters had straggled, not onlythat night, but for two or three nights before. It was now broad day,but the morning being cold, a group of them were gathered round a firein a public-house, drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes, and planningnew schemes for to-morrow.

  Hugh and his two friends being known to most of these men, were receivedwith signal marks of approbation, and inducted into the most honourableseats. The room-door was closed and fastened to keep intruders at adistance, and then they proceeded to exchange news.

  'The soldiers have taken possession of The Boot, I hear,' said Hugh.'Who knows anything about it?'

  Several cried that they did; but the majority of the company havingbeen engaged in the assault upon the Warren, and all present having beenconcerned in one or other of the night's expeditions, it proved thatthey knew no more than Hugh himself; having been merely warned by eachother, or by the scout, and knowing nothing of their own knowledge.

  'We left a man on guard there to-day,' said Hugh, looking round him,'who is not here. You know who it is--Barnaby, who brought the soldierdown, at Westminster. Has any man seen or heard of him?'

  They shook their heads, and murmured an answer in the negative, as eachman looked round and appealed to his fellow; when a noise was heardwithout, and a man was heard to say that he wanted Hugh--that he mustsee Hugh.

  'He is but one man,' cried Hugh to those who kept the door; 'let himcome in.'

  'Ay, ay!' muttered the others. 'Let him come in. Let him come in.'

  The door was accordingly unlocked and opened. A one-armed man, withhis head and face tied up with a bloody cloth, as though he had beenseverely beaten, his clothes torn, and his remaining hand grasping athick stick, rushed in among them, and panting for breath, demandedwhich was Hugh.

  'Here he is,' replied the person he inquired for. 'I am Hugh. What doyou want with me?'

  'I have a message for you,' said the man. 'You know one Barnaby.'

  'What of him? Did he send the message?'

  'Yes. He's taken. He's in one of the strong cells in Newgate. Hedefended himself as well as he could, but was overpowered by numbers.That's his message.'

  'When did you see him?' asked Hugh, hastily.

  'On his way to prison, where he was taken by a party of soldiers. Theytook a by-road, and not the one we expected. I was one of the few whotried to rescue him, and he called to me, and told me to tell Hugh wherehe was. We made a good struggle, though it failed. Look here!'

  He pointed to his dress and to his bandaged head, and still panting forbreath, glanced round the room; then faced towards Hugh again.

  'I know you by sight,' he said, 'for I was in the crowd on Friday, andon Saturday, and yesterday, but I didn't know your name. You're a boldfellow, I know. So is he. He fought like a lion tonight, but it was ofno use. I did my best, considering that I want this limb.'

  Again he glanced inquisitively round the room or seemed to do so, forhis face was nearly hidden by the bandage--and again facing sharplytowards Hugh, grasped his stick as if he half expected to be set upon,and stood on the defensive.

  If he had any such apprehension, however, he was speedily reassured bythe demeanour of all present. None thought of the bearer of the tidings.He was lost in the news he brought. Oaths, threats, and execrations,were vented on all sides. Some cried that if they bore this tamely,another day would see them all in jail; some, that they should haverescued the other prisoners, and this would not have happened. One mancried in a loud voice, 'Who'll follow me to Newgate!' and there was aloud shout and general rush towards the door.

  But Hugh and Dennis stood with the
ir backs against it, and kept themback, until the clamour had so far subsided that their voices could beheard, when they called to them together that to go now, in broad day,would be madness; and that if they waited until night and arranged aplan of attack, they might release, not only their own companions, butall the prisoners, and burn down the jail.

  'Not that jail alone,' cried Hugh, 'but every jail in London. They shallhave no place to put their prisoners in. We'll burn them all down; makebonfires of them every one! Here!' he cried, catching at the hangman'shand. 'Let all who're men here, join with us. Shake hands upon it.Barnaby out of jail, and not a jail left standing! Who joins?'

  Every man there. And they swore a great oath to release their friendsfrom Newgate next night; to force the doors and burn the jail; or perishin the fire themselves.