althoughtheglassfellfromthewindow-sashes，andtheleadandironontheroofsblisteredtheincautioushandthattouchedthem，andthesparrowsintheeavestookwing，andrenderedgiddybythesmoke，fellflutteringdownupontheblazingpile;stillthefirewastendedunceasinglybybusyhands，androundit，menweregoingalways。Theyneverslackenedintheirzeal，orkeptaloof，butpressedupontheflamessohard，thatthoseinfronthadmuchadotosavethemselvesfrombeingthrustin;ifonemanswoonedordropped，adozenstruggledforhisplace，andthatalthoughtheyknewthepain，andthirst，andpressuretobeunendurable。Thosewhofelldowninfainting-fits，andwerenotcrushedorburnt，werecarriedtoaninn-yardcloseathand，anddashedwithwaterfromapump;ofwhichbucketsfullwerepassedfrommantomanamongthecrowd;butsuchwasthestrongdesireofalltodrink，andsuchthefightingtobefirst，that，forthemostpart，thewholecontentswerespilledupontheground，withoutthelipsofonemanbeingmoistened。
Meanwhile，andinthemidstofalltheroarandoutcry，thosewhowerenearesttothepile，heapedupagaintheburningfragmentsthatcametopplingdown，andrakedthefireaboutthedoor，which，althoughasheetofflame，wasstilladoorfastlockedandbarred，andkeptthemout。Greatpiecesofblazingwoodwerepassed，besides，abovethepeople’sheadstosuchasstoodabouttheladders，andsomeofthese，climbinguptothetopmoststave，andholdingonwithonehandbytheprisonwall，exertedalltheirskillandforcetocastthesefire-brandsontheroof，ordownintotheyardswithin。Inmanyinstancestheireffortsweresuccessful;
whichoccasionedanewandappallingadditiontothehorrorsofthescene:fortheprisonerswithin，seeingfrombetweentheirbarsthatthefirecaughtinmanyplacesandthrivedfiercely，andbeingalllockedupinstrongcellsforthenight，begantoknowthattheywereindangerofbeingburntalive。Thisterriblefear，spreadingfromcelltocellandfromyardtoyard，venteditselfinsuchdismalcriesandwailings，andinsuchdreadfulshrieksforhelp，thatthewholejailresoundedwiththenoise;whichwasloudlyheardevenabovetheshoutingofthemobandroaringoftheflames，andwassofullofagonyanddespair，thatitmadetheboldesttremble。
ItwasremarkablethatthesecriesbeganinthatquarterofthejailwhichfrontedNewgateStreet，where，itwaswellknown，themenwhoweretosufferdeathonThursdaywereconfined。Andnotonlywerethesefourwhohadsoshortatimetolive，thefirsttowhomthedreadofbeingburntoccurred，buttheywere，throughout，themostimportunateofall:fortheycouldbeplainlyheard，notwithstandingthegreatthicknessofthewalls，cryingthatthewindsetthatway，andthattheflameswouldshortlyreachthem;
andcallingtotheofficersofthejailtocomeandquenchthefirefromacisternwhichwasintheiryard，andfullofwater。
Judgingfromwhatthecrowdoutsidethewallscouldhearfromtimetotime，thesefourdoomedwretchesneverceasedtocallforhelp;
andthatwithasmuchdistraction，andinasgreatafrenzyofattachmenttoexistence，asthougheachhadanhonoured，happylifebeforehim，insteadofeight-and-fortyhoursofmiserableimprisonment，andthenaviolentandshamefuldeath。
Buttheanguishandsufferingofthetwosonsofoneofthesemen，whentheyheard，orfanciedthattheyheard，theirfather’svoice，ispastdescription。Afterwringingtheirhandsandrushingtoandfroasiftheywerestarkmad，onemountedontheshouldersofhisbrother，andtriedtoclamberupthefaceofthehighwall，guardedatthetopwithspikesandpointsofiron。Andwhenhefellamongthecrowd，hewasnotdeterredbyhisbruises，butmountedupagain，andfellagain，and，whenhefoundthefeatimpossible，begantobeatthestonesandtearthemwithhishands，asifhecouldthatwaymakeabreachinthestrongbuilding，andforceapassagein。Atlast，theyclefttheirwayamongthemobaboutthedoor，thoughmanymen，adozentimestheirmatch，hadtriedinvaintodoso，andwereseen，in——yes，in——thefire，strivingtoprizeitdown，withcrowbars。
Norweretheyaloneaffectedbytheoutcryfromwithintheprison。
Thewomenwhowerelookingon，shriekedloudly，beattheirhandstogether，stoppedtheirears;andmanyfainted:themenwhowerenotnearthewallsandactiveinthesiege，ratherthandonothing，toreupthepavementofthestreet，anddidsowithahasteandfurytheycouldnothavesurpassedifthathadbeenthejail，andtheywereneartheirobject。Notonelivingcreatureinthethrongwasforaninstantstill。Thewholegreatmassweremad。
Ashout！Another！Anotheryet，thoughfewknewwhy，orwhatitmeant。Butthosearoundthegatehadseenitslowlyyield，anddropfromitstopmosthinge。Ithungonthatsidebybutone，butitwasuprightstill，becauseofthebar，anditshavingsunk，ofitsownweight，intotheheapofashesatitsfoot。Therewasnowagapatthetopofthedoorway，throughwhichcouldbedescriedagloomypassage，cavernousanddark。Pileupthefire！
Itburntfiercely。Thedoorwasred-hot，andthegapwider。Theyvainlytriedtoshieldtheirfaceswiththeirhands，andstandingasifinreadinessforaspring，watchedtheplace。Darkfigures，somecrawlingontheirhandsandknees，somecarriedinthearmsofothers，wereseentopassalongtheroof。Itwasplainthejailcouldholdoutnolonger。Thekeeper，andhisofficers，andtheirwivesandchildren，wereescaping。Pileupthefire！
Thedoorsankdownagain:itsettleddeeperinthecinders——
tottered——yielded——wasdown！
Astheyshoutedagain，theyfellback，foramoment，andleftaclearspaceaboutthefirethatlaybetweenthemandthejailentry。Hughleaptupontheblazingheap，andscatteringatrainofsparksintotheair，andmakingthedarklobbyglitterwiththosethathunguponhisdress，dashedintothejail。
Thehangmanfollowed。Andthensomanyrushedupontheirtrack，thatthefiregottroddendownandthinlystrewnaboutthestreet;
buttherewasnoneedofitnow，for，insideandout，theprisonwasinflames。
Chapter65
Duringthewholecourseoftheterriblescenewhichwasnowatitsheight，onemaninthejailsufferedadegreeoffearandmentaltormentwhichhadnoparallelintheendurance，evenofthosewholayundersentenceofdeath。
Whentheriotersfirstassembledbeforethebuilding，themurdererwasrousedfromsleep——ifsuchslumbersashismayhavethatblessedname——bytheroarofvoices，andthestrugglingofagreatcrowd。Hestartedupasthesesoundsmethisear，and，sittingonhisbedstead，listened。
Afterashortintervalofsilencethenoiseburstoutagain。Stilllisteningattentively，hemadeout，incourseoftime，thatthejailwasbesiegedbyafuriousmultitude。Hisguiltyconscienceinstantlyarrayedthesemenagainsthimself，andbroughtthefearuponhimthathewouldbesingledout，andtorntopieces。
Onceimpressedwiththeterrorofthisconceit，everythingtendedtoconfirmandstrengthenit。Hisdoublecrime，thecircumstancesunderwhichithadbeencommitted，thelengthoftimethathadelapsed，anditsdiscoveryinspiteofall，madehim，asitwere，thevisibleobjectoftheAlmighty’swrath。Inallthecrimeandviceandmoralgloomofthegreatpest-houseofthecapital，hestoodalone，markedandsingledoutbyhisgreatguilt，aLuciferamongthedevils。Theotherprisonerswereahost，hidingandshelteringeachother——acrowdlikethatwithoutthewalls。Hewasonemanagainstthewholeunitedconcourse;asingle，solitary，lonelyman，fromwhomtheverycaptivesinthejailfelloffandshrunkappalled。
Itmightbethattheintelligenceofhiscapturehavingbeenbruitedabroad，theyhadcometherepurposelytodraghimoutandkillhiminthestreet;oritmightbethattheyweretherioters，and，inpursuanceofanolddesign，hadcometosacktheprison。
Butineithercasehehadnobelieforhopethattheywouldsparehim。Everyshouttheyraised，andeverysoundtheymade，wasablowuponhisheart。Astheattackwenton，hegrewmorewildandfranticinhisterror:triedtopullawaythebarsthatguardedthechimneyandpreventedhimfromclimbingup:calledloudlyontheturnkeystoclusterroundthecellandsavehimfromthefuryoftherabble;orputhiminsomedungeonunderground，nomatterofwhatdepth，howdarkitwas，orloathsome，orbesetwithratsandcreepingthings，sothatithidhimandwashardtofind。
Butnoonecame，oransweredhim。Fearful，evenwhilehecriedtothem，ofattractingattention，hewassilent。Byandbye，hesaw，ashelookedfromhisgratedwindow，astrangeglimmeringonthestonewallsandpavementoftheyard。Itwasfeebleatfirst，andcameandwent，asthoughsomeofficerswithtorcheswerepassingtoandfroupontheroofoftheprison。Soonitreddened，andlightedbrandscamewhirlingdown，spatteringthegroundwithfire，andburningsullenlyincorners。Onerolledbeneathawoodenbench，andsetitinablaze;anothercaughtawater-spout，andsowentclimbingupthewall，leavingalongstraighttrackoffirebehindit。Afteratime，aslowthickshowerofburningfragments，fromsomeupperportionoftheprisonwhichwasblazingnigh，begantofallbeforehisdoor。Rememberingthatitopenedoutwards，heknewthateverysparkwhichfellupontheheap，andintheactlostitsbrightlife，anddiedanuglyspeckofdustandrubbish，helpedtoentombhiminalivinggrave。Still，thoughthejailresoundedwithshrieksandcriesforhelp，——thoughthefireboundedupasifeachseparateflamehadhadatiger’slife，androaredasthough，ineveryone，therewereahungryvoice——thoughtheheatbegantogrowintense，andtheairsuffocating，andtheclamourwithoutincreased，andthedangerofhissituationevenfromonemercilesselementwaseverymomentmoreextreme，——stillhewasafraidtoraisehisvoiceagain，lestthecrowdshouldbreakin，andshould，oftheirownearsorfromtheinformationgiventhembytheotherprisoners，getthecluetohisplaceofconfinement。Thusfearfulalike，ofthosewithintheprisonandofthosewithout;ofnoiseandsilence;lightanddarkness;ofbeingreleased，andbeinglefttheretodie;hewassotorturedandtormented，thatnothingmanhaseverdonetomaninthehorriblecapriceofpowerandcruelty，exceedshisself-inflictedpunishment。
Now，now，thedoorwasdown。Nowtheycamerushingthroughthejail，callingtoeachotherinthevaultedpassages;clashingtheirongatesdividingyardfromyard;beatingatthedoorsofcellsandwards;wrenchingoffboltsandlocksandbars;tearingdownthedoor-poststogetmenout;endeavouringtodragthembymainforcethroughgapsandwindowswhereachildcouldscarcelypass;
whoopingandyellingwithoutamoment’srest;andrunningthroughtheheatandflamesasiftheywerecasedinmetal。Bytheirlegs，theirarms，thehairupontheirheads，theydraggedtheprisonersout。Somethrewthemselvesuponthecaptivesastheygottowardsthedoor，andtriedtofileawaytheirirons;somedancedaboutthemwithafrenziedjoy，andrenttheirclothes，andwereready，asitseemed，totearthemlimbfromlimb。Nowapartyofadozenmencamedartingthroughtheyardintowhichthemurderercastfearfulglancesfromhisdarkenedwindow;draggingaprisoneralongthegroundwhosedresstheyhadnearlytornfromhisbodyintheirmadeagernesstosethimfree，andwhowasbleedingandsenselessintheirhands。Nowascoreofprisonersrantoandfro，whohadlostthemselvesintheintricaciesoftheprison，andweresobewilderedwiththenoiseandglarethattheyknewnotwheretoturnorwhattodo，andstillcriedoutforhelp，asloudlyasbefore。Anonsomefamishedwretchwhosethefthadbeenaloafofbread，orscrapofbutcher’smeat，cameskulkingpast，barefooted——
goingslowlyawaybecausethatjail，hishouse，wasburning;notbecausehehadanyother，orhadfriendstomeet，oroldhauntstorevisit，oranylibertytogain，butlibertytostarveanddie。
Andthenaknotofhighwaymenwenttroopingby，conductedbythefriendstheyhadamongthecrowd，whomuffledtheirfettersastheywentalong，withhandkerchiefsandbandsofhay，andwrappedthemincoatsandcloaks，andgavethemdrinkfrombottles，andheldittotheirlips，becauseoftheirhandcuffswhichtherewasnotimetoremove。Allthis，andHeavenknowshowmuchmore，wasdoneamidstanoise，ahurry，anddistraction，likenothingthatweknowof，eveninourdreams;whichseemedforeverontherise，andnevertodecreaseforthespaceofasingleinstant。
Hewasstilllookingdownfromhiswindowuponthesethings，whenabandofmenwithtorches，ladders，axes，andmanykindsofweapons，pouredintotheyard，andhammeringathisdoor，inquirediftherewereanyprisonerwithin。Heleftthewindowwhenhesawthemcoming，anddrewbackintotheremotestcornerofthecell;butalthoughhereturnedthemnoanswer，theyhadafancythatsomeonewasinside，fortheypresentlysetladdersagainstit，andbegantotearawaythebarsatthecasement;notonlythat，indeed，butwithpickaxestohewdowntheverystonesinthewall。
Assoonastheyhadmadeabreachatthewindow，largeenoughfortheadmissionofaman’shead，oneofthemthrustinatorchandlookedallroundtheroom。Hefollowedthisman’sgazeuntilitrestedonhimself，andheardhimdemandwhyhehadnotanswered，butmadehimnoreply。
Inthegeneralsurpriseandwonder，theywereusedtothis;withoutsayinganythingmore，theyenlargedthebreachuntilitwaslargeenoughtoadmitthebodyofaman，andthencamedroppingdownuponthefloor，oneafteranother，untilthecellwasfull。Theycaughthimupamongthem，handedhimtothewindow，andthosewhostoodupontheladderspassedhimdownuponthepavementoftheyard。
Thentherestcameout，oneafteranother，and，biddinghimfly，andlosenotime，orthewaywouldbechokedup，hurriedawaytorescueothers。
Itseemednotaminute’sworkfromfirsttolast。Hestaggeredtohisfeet，incredulousofwhathadhappened，whentheyardwasfilledagain，andacrowdrushedon，hurryingBarnabyamongthem。
Inanotherminute——notsomuch:anotherminute！thesameinstant，withnolapseorintervalbetween！——heandhissonwerebeingpassedfromhandtohand，throughthedensecrowdinthestreet，andwereglancingbackwardataburningpilewhichsomeonesaidwasNewgate。
Fromthemomentoftheirfirstentranceintotheprison，thecrowddispersedthemselvesaboutit，andswarmedintoeverychinkandcrevice，asiftheyhadaperfectacquaintancewithitsinnermostparts，andboreintheirmindsanexactplanofthewhole。Forthisimmediateknowledgeoftheplace，theywere，nodoubt，inagreatdegree，indebtedtothehangman，whostoodinthelobby，directingsometogothisway，somethat，andsometheother;andwhomateriallyassistedinbringingaboutthewonderfulrapiditywithwhichthereleaseoftheprisonerswaseffected。
Butthisfunctionaryofthelawreservedoneimportantpieceofintelligence，andkeptitsnuglytohimself。Whenhehadissuedhisinstructionsrelativetoeveryotherpartofthebuilding，andthemobweredispersedfromendtoend，andbusyattheirwork，hetookabundleofkeysfromakindofcupboardinthewall，andgoingbyakindofpassagenearthechapelitjoinedthegovernorshouse，andwasthenonfire，betookhimselftothecondemnedcells，whichwereaseriesofsmall，strong，dismalrooms，openingonalowgallery，guarded，attheendatwhichheentered，byastrongironwicket，andatitsoppositeextremitybytwodoorsandathickgrate。Havingdoublelockedthewicket，andassuredhimselfthattheotherentranceswerewellsecured，hesatdownonabenchinthegallery，andsuckedtheheadofhisstickwiththeutmostcomplacency，tranquillity，andcontentment。
Itwouldhavebeenstrangeenough，aman’senjoyinghimselfinthisquietmanner，whiletheprisonwasburning，andsuchatumultwascleavingtheair，thoughhehadbeenoutsidethewalls。Buthere，intheveryheartofthebuilding，andmoreoverwiththeprayersandcriesofthefourmenundersentencesoundinginhisears，andtheirhands，stretchedourthroughthegratingsintheircell-
doors，claspedinfranticentreatybeforehisveryeyes，itwasparticularlyremarkable。Indeed，MrDennisappearedtothinkitanuncommoncircumstance，andtobanterhimselfuponit;forhethrusthishatononesideassomemendowhentheyareinawaggishhumour，suckedtheheadofhisstickwithahigherrelish，andsmiledasthoughhewouldsay，’Dennis，you’rearumdog;you’reaqueerfellow;you’recapitalcompany，Dennis，andquiteacharacter！’
Hesatinthiswayforsomeminutes，whilethefourmeninthecells，whowerecertainthatsomebodyhadenteredthegallery，butcouldnotseewho，gaveventtosuchpiteousentreatiesaswretchesintheirmiserableconditionmaybesupposedtohavebeeninspiredwith:urging，whoeveritwas，tosetthematliberty，fortheloveofHeaven;andprotesting，withgreatfervour，andtrulyenough，perhaps，forthetime，thatiftheyescaped，theywouldamendtheirways，andwouldnever，never，neveragaindowrongbeforeGodorman，butwouldleadpenitentandsoberlives，andsorrowfullyrepentthecrimestheyhadcommitted。Theterribleenergywithwhichtheyspoke，wouldhavemovedanyperson，nomatterhowgoodorjustifanygoodorjustpersoncouldhavestrayedintothatsadplacethatnight，tohavesetthematliberty:and，whilehewouldhaveleftanyotherpunishmenttoitsfreecourse，tohavesavedthemfromthislastdreadfulandrepulsivepenalty;whichneverturnedamaninclinedtoevil，andhashardenedthousandswhowerehalfinclinedtogood。
MrDennis，whohadbeenbredandnurturedinthegoodoldschool，andhadadministeredthegoodoldlawsonthegoodoldplan，alwaysonceandsometimestwiceeverysixweeks，foralongtime，boretheseappealswithadealofphilosophy。Beingatlast，however，ratherdisturbedinhispleasantreflectionbytheirrepetition，herappedatoneofthedoorswithhisstick，andcried:
’Holdyournoisethere，willyou？’
Atthistheyallcriedtogetherthattheyweretobehangedonthenextdaybutone;andagainimploredhisaid。
’Aid！Forwhat！’saidMrDennis，playfullyrappingtheknucklesofthehandnearesthim。
’Tosaveus！’theycried。
’Oh，certainly，’saidMrDennis，winkingatthewallintheabsenceofanyfriendwithwhomhecouldhumourthejoke。’Andsoyou’retobeworkedoff，areyou，brothers？’
’Unlesswearereleasedto-night，’oneofthemcried，’wearedeadmen！’
’Itellyouwhatitis，’saidthehangman，gravely;’I’mafraid，myfriend，thatyou’renotinthat’erestateofmindthat’ssuitabletoyourcondition，then;you’renota-goingtobereleased:don’tthinkit——Willyouleaveoffthat’ereindecentrow？Iwonderyouan’tashamedofyourselves，Ido。’
Hefollowedupthisreproofbyrappingeverysetofknucklesoneaftertheother，andhavingdoneso，resumedhisseatagainwithacheerfulcountenance。
’You’vehadlaw，’hesaid，crossinghislegsandelevatinghiseyebrows:’lawshavebeenmadea’purposeforyou;aweryhandsomeprison’sbeenmadea’purposeforyou;aparson’skeptapurposeforyou;aconstitootionalofficer’sappointeda’purposeforyou;
cartsismaintaineda’purposeforyou——andyetyou’renotcontented！——WILLyouholdthatnoise，yousirinthefurthest？’
Agroanwastheonlyanswer。
’SowellasIcanmakeout，’saidMrDennis，inatoneofmingledbadinageandremonstrance，’there’snotamanamongyou。IbegintothinkI’montheoppositeside，andamongtheladies;thoughforthematterofthat，I’veseenamanyladiesfaceitout，inamannerthatdidhonourtothesex——Youinnumbertwo，don’tgrindthemteethofyours。Worsemanners，’saidthehangman，rappingatthedoorwithhisstick，’Ineverseeinthisplaceafore。I’mashamedofyou。You’readisgracetotheBailey。’
Afterpausingforamomenttohearifanythingcouldbepleadedinjustification，MrDennisresumedinasortofcoaxingtone:
’Nowlook’eehere，youfour。I’mcomeheretotakecareofyou，andseethatyouan’tburnt，insteadoftheotherthing。It’snouseyourmakinganynoise，foryouwon’tbefoundoutbythemashasbrokenin，andyou’llonlybehoarsewhenyoucometothespeeches，——whichisapity。WhatIsayinrespecttothespeechesalwaysis，“Giveitmouth。”That’smymaxim。Giveitmouth。I’veheerd，’saidthehangman，pullingoffhishattotakehishandkerchieffromthecrownandwipehisface，andthenputtingitonagainalittlemoreononesidethanbefore，’I’veheerdaeloquenceonthemboards——youknowwhatboardsImean——andhaveheerdadegreeofmouthgiventothemspeeches，thattheywasasclearasabell，andasgoodasaplay。There’sapattern！Andalways，whenathingofthisnatur’stocomeoff，whatIstandupfor，is，aproperframeofmind。Let’shaveaproperframeofmind，andwecangothroughwithit，creditable——pleasant——
sociable。WhateveryoudoandIaddressmyselfinparticular，toyouinthefurthest，neversnivel。I’dsoonerbyhalf，thoughI
losebyit，seeamantearhisclothesa’purposetospile’embeforetheycometome，thanfindhimsnivelling。It’stentooneabetterframeofmind，everyway！’
Whilethehangmanaddressedthemtothiseffect，inthetoneandwiththeairofapastorinfamiliarconversationwithhisflock，thenoisehadbeeninsomedegreesubdued;fortherioterswerebusyinconveyingtheprisonerstotheSessionsHouse，whichwasbeyondthemainwallsoftheprison，thoughconnectedwithit，andthecrowdwerebusytoo，inpassingthemfromthencealongthestreet。Butwhenhehadgotthusfarinhisdiscourse，thesoundofvoicesintheyardshowedplainlythatthemobhadreturnedandwerecomingthatway;anddirectlyafterwardsaviolentcrashingatthegratebelow，gavenoteoftheirattackuponthecellsastheywerecalledatlast。
Itwasinvainthehangmanranfromdoortodoor，andcoveredthegrates，oneafteranother，withhishat，infutileeffortstostiflethecriesofthefourmenwithin;itwasinvainhedoggedtheiroutstretchedhands，andbeatthemwithhisstick，ormenacedthemwithnewandlingeringpainsintheexecutionofhisoffice;
theplaceresoundedwiththeircries。These，togetherwiththefeelingthattheywerenowthelastmeninthejail，soworkeduponandstimulatedthebesiegers，thatinanincrediblyshortspaceoftimetheyforcedthestronggratedownbelow，whichwasformedofironrodstwoinchessquare，droveinthetwootherdoors，asiftheyhadbeenbutdealpartitions，andstoodattheendofthegallerywithonlyabarortwobetweenthemandthecells。
’Halloa！’criedHugh，whowasthefirsttolookintotheduskypassage:’Dennisbeforeus！Welldone，oldboy。Bequick，andopenhere，forweshallbesuffocatedinthesmoke，goingout。’
’Gooutatonce，then，’saidDennis。’Whatdoyouwanthere？’
’Want！’echoedHugh。’Thefourmen。’
’Fourdevils！’criedthehangman。’Don’tyouknowthey’releftfordeathonThursday？Don’tyourespectthelaw——theconstitootion——
nothing？Letthefourmenbe。’
’Isthisatimeforjoking？’criedHugh。’Doyouhear’em？Pullawaythesebarsthathavegotfixedbetweenthedoorandtheground;andletusin。’
’Brother，’saidthehangman，inalowvoice，ashestoopedunderpretenceofdoingwhatHughdesired，butonlylookedupinhisface，’can’tyouleavetheseherefourmentome，ifI’vethewhim！
Youdowhatyoulike，andhavewhatyoulikeofeverythingforyourshare，——givememyshare。Iwantthesefourmenleftalone，Itellyou！’
’Pullthebarsdown，orstandoutoftheway，’wasHugh’sreply。
’Youcanturnthecrowdifyoulike，youknowthatwellenough，brother，’saidthehangman，slowly。’What！YouWILLcomein，willyou？’
’Yes。’
’Youwon’tletthesemenalone，andleave’emtome？You’venorespectfornothing——haven’tyou？’saidthehangman，retreatingtothedoorbywhichhehadentered，andregardinghiscompanionwithascowl。’YouWILLcomein，willyou，brother！’
’Itellyou，yes。Whatthedevilailsyou？Whereareyougoing？’
’NomatterwhereI’mgoing，’rejoinedthehangman，lookinginagainattheironwicket，whichhehadnearlyshutuponhimself，andheldajar。’Rememberwhereyou’recoming。That’sall！’
Withthat，heshookhislikenessatHugh，andgivinghimagrin，comparedwithwhichhisusualsmilewasamiable，disappeared，andshutthedoor。
Hughpausednolonger，butgoadedalikebythecriesoftheconvicts，andbytheimpatienceofthecrowd，warnedthemanimmediatelybehindhim——thewaywasonlywideenoughforoneabreast——tostandback，andwieldedasledge-hammerwithsuchstrength，thatafterafewblowstheironbentandbroke，andgavethemfreeadmittance。
Itthetwosonsofoneofthesemen，ofwhommentionhasbeenmade，werefuriousintheirzealbefore，theyhadnowthewrathandvigouroflions。Callingtothemanwithineachcell，tokeepasfarbackashecould，lesttheaxescrashingthroughthedoorshouldwoundhim，apartywenttoworkuponeachone，tobeatitinbysheerstrength，andforcetheboltsandstaplesfromtheirhold。
Butalthoughthesetwoladshadtheweakestparty，andtheworstarmed，anddidnotbeginuntilaftertheothers，havingstoppedtowhispertohimthroughthegrate，thatdoorwasthefirstopen，andthatmanwasthefirstout。Astheydraggedhimintothegallerytoknockoffhisirons，hefelldownamongthem，amereheapofchains，andwascarriedoutinthatstateonmen’sshoulders，withnosignoflife。
Thereleaseofthesefourwretchedcreatures，andconveyingthem，astoundedandbewildered，intothestreetssofulloflife——aspectacletheyhadneverthoughttoseeagain，untiltheyemergedfromsolitudeandsilenceuponthatlastjourney，whentheairshouldbeheavywiththepent-upbreathofthousands，andthestreetsandhousesshouldbebuiltandroofedwithhumanfaces，notwithbricksandtilesandstones——wasthecrowninghorrorofthescene。Theirpaleandhaggardlooksandholloweyes;theirstaggeringfeet，andhandsstretchedoutasiftosavethemselvesfromfalling;theirwanderinganduncertainair;thewaytheyheavedandgaspedforbreath，asthoughinwater，whentheywerefirstplungedintothecrowd;allmarkedthemforthemen。Noneedtosay’thisonewasdoomedtodie;’fortherewerethewordsbroadlystampedandbrandedonhisface。Thecrowdfelloff，asiftheyhadbeenlaidoutforburial，andhadrisenintheirshrouds;
andmanywereseentoshudder，asthoughtheyhadbeenactuallydeadmen，whentheychancedtotouchorbrushagainsttheirgarments。
Atthebiddingofthemob，thehouseswereallilluminatedthatnight——lightedupfromtoptobottomasatatimeofpublicgaietyandjoy。Manyyearsafterwards，oldpeoplewholivedintheiryouthnearthispartofthecity，rememberedbeinginagreatglareoflight，withindoorsandwithout，andastheylooked，timidandfrightenedchildren，fromthewindows，seeingaFACEgoby。Thoughthewholegreatcrowdandallitsotherterrorshadfadedfromtheirrecollection，thisoneobjectremained;alone，distinct，andwellremembered。Evenintheunpractisedmindsofinfants，oneofthesedoomedmendartingpast，andbutaninstantseen，wasanimageofforceenoughtodimthewholeconcourse;tofinditselfanall-absorbingplace，andholditeverafter。
Whenthislasttaskhadbeenachieved，theshoutsandcriesgrewfainter;theclankoffetters，whichhadresoundedonallsidesastheprisonersescaped，washeardnomore;allthenoisesofthecrowdsubsidedintoahoarseandsullenmurmurasitpassedintothedistance;andwhenthehumantidehadrolledaway，amelancholyheapofsmokingruinsmarkedthespotwhereithadlatelychafedandroared。
Chapter66
Althoughhehadhadnorestuponthepreviousnight，andhadwatchedwithlittleintermissionforsomeweekspast，sleepingonlyinthedaybystartsandsnatches，MrHaredale，fromthedawnofmorninguntilsunset，soughthisnieceineveryplacewherehedeemeditpossibleshecouldhavetakenrefuge。Alldaylong，nothing，saveadraughtofwater，passedhislips;thoughheprosecutedhisinquiriesfarandwide，andneversomuchassatdown，once。
Ineveryquarterhecouldthinkof;atChigwellandinLondon;atthehousesofthetradespeoplewithwhomhedealt，andofthefriendsheknew;hepursuedhissearch。Apreytothemostharrowinganxietiesandapprehensions，hewentfrommagistratetomagistrate，andfinallytotheSecretaryofState。Theonlycomforthereceivedwasfromthisminister，whoassuredhimthattheGovernment，beingnowdriventotheexerciseoftheextremeprerogativesoftheCrown，weredeterminedtoexertthem;thataproclamationwouldprobablybeoutuponthemorrow，givingtothemilitary，discretionaryandunlimitedpowerinthesuppressionoftheriots;thatthesympathiesoftheKing，theAdministration，andbothHousesofParliament，andindeedofallgoodmenofeveryreligiouspersuasion，werestronglywiththeinjuredCatholics;andthatjusticeshouldbedonethematanycostorhazard。Hetoldhim，moreover，thatotherpersonswhosehouseshadbeenburnt，hadforatimelostsightoftheirchildrenortheirrelatives，buthad，ineverycase，withinhisknowledge，succeededindiscoveringthem;thathiscomplaintshouldberemembered，andfullystatedintheinstructionsgiventotheofficersincommand，andtoalltheinferiormyrmidonsofjustice;andthateverythingthatcouldbedonetohelphim，shouldbedone，withagoodwillandingoodfaith。
Gratefulforthisconsolation，feebleasitwasinitsreferencetothepast，andlittlehopeasitaffordedhiminconnectionwiththesubjectofdistresswhichlaynearesttohisheart;andreallythankfulfortheinteresttheministerexpressed，andseemedtofeel，inhiscondition;MrHaredalewithdrew。Hefoundhimself，withthenightcomingon，aloneinthestreets;anddestituteofanyplaceinwhichtolayhishead。
HeenteredanhotelnearCharingCross，andorderedsomerefreshmentandabed。Hesawthathisfaintandwornappearanceattractedtheattentionofthelandlordandhiswaiters;andthinkingthattheymightsupposehimtobepenniless，tookouthispurse，andlaiditonthetable。Itwasnotthat，thelandlordsaid，inafalteringvoice。Ifhewereoneofthosewhohadsufferedbytherioters，hedurstnotgivehimentertainment。Hehadafamilyofchildren，andhadbeentwicewarnedtobecarefulinreceivingguests。Heheartilyprayedhisforgiveness，butwhatcouldhedo？
Nothing。NomanfeltthatmoresincerelythanMrHaredale。Hetoldthemanasmuch，andleftthehouse。
Feelingthathemighthaveanticipatedthisoccurrence，afterwhathehadseenatChigwellinthemorning，wherenomandaredtotouchaspade，thoughheofferedalargerewardtoallwhowouldcomeanddigamongtheruinsofhishouse，hewalkedalongtheStrand;tooproudtoexposehimselftoanotherrefusal，andoftoogenerousaspirittoinvolveindistressorruinanyhonesttradesmanwhomightbeweakenoughtogivehimshelter。Hewanderedintooneofthestreetsbythesideoftheriver，andwaspacinginathoughtfulmannerupanddown，thinkingofthingsthathadhappenedlongago，whenheheardaservant-manatanupperwindowcalltoanotherontheoppositesideofthestreet，thatthemobweresettingfiretoNewgate。
ToNewgate！wherethatmanwas！Hisfailingstrengthreturned，hisenergiescamebackwithtenfoldvigour，ontheinstant。Ifitwerepossible——iftheyshouldsetthemurdererfree——washe，afterallhehadundergone，todiewiththesuspicionofhavingslainhisownbrother，dimlygatheringabouthim——
Hehadnoconsciousnessofgoingtothejail;buttherehestood，beforeit。Therewasthecrowdwedgedandpressedtogetherinadense，dark，movingmass;andthereweretheflamessoaringupintotheair。Hisheadturnedroundandround，lightsflashedbeforehiseyes，andhestruggledhardwithtwomen。
’Nay，nay，’saidone。’Bemoreyourself，mygoodsir。Weattractattentionhere。Comeaway。Whatcanyoudoamongsomanymen？’
’Thegentleman’salwaysfordoingsomething，’saidtheother，forcinghimalongashespoke。’Ilikehimforthat。Idolikehimforthat。’
Theyhadbythistimegothimintoacourt，hardbytheprison。Helookedfromonetotheother，andashetriedtoreleasehimself，feltthathetotteredonhisfeet。Hewhohadspokenfirst，wastheoldgentlemanwhomhehadseenattheLordMayor’s。TheotherwasJohnGrueby，whohadstoodbyhimsomanfullyatWestminster。
’Whatdoesthismean？’heaskedthemfaintly。’Howcamewetogether？’
’Ontheskirtsofthecrowd，’returnedthedistiller;’butcomewithus。Praycomewithus。Youseemtoknowmyfriendhere？’
’Surely，’saidMrHaredale，lookinginakindofstuporatJohn。
’He’lltellyouthen，’returnedtheoldgentleman，’thatIamamantobetrusted。He’smyservant。Hewaslatelyasyouknow，I
havenodoubtinLordGeorgeGordon’sservice;butheleftit，andbrought，inpuregoodwilltomeandothers，whoaremarkedbytherioters，suchintelligenceashehadpickedup，oftheirdesigns。’——
’Ononecondition，please，sir，’saidJohn，touchinghishat。Noevidenceagainstmylord——amisledman——akind-heartedman，sir。
Mylordneverintendedthis。’
’Theconditionwillbeobserved，ofcourse，’rejoinedtheolddistiller。’It’sapointofhonour。Butcomewithus，sir;praycomewithus。’
JohnGruebyaddednoentreaties，butheadoptedadifferentkindofpersuasion，byputtinghisarmthroughoneofMrHaredale’s，whilehismastertooktheother，andleadinghimawaywithallspeed。
Sensible，fromastrangelightnessinhishead，andadifficultyinfixinghisthoughtsonanything，eventotheextentofbearinghiscompanionsinhismindforaminutetogetherwithoutlookingatthem，thathisbrainwasaffectedbytheagitationandsufferingthroughwhichhehadpassed，andtowhichhewasstillaprey，MrHaredaleletthemleadhimwheretheywould。Astheywentalong，hewasconsciousofhavingnocommandoverwhathesaidorthought，andthathehadafearofgoingmad。
Thedistillerlived，ashehadtoldhimwhentheyfirstmet，onHolbornHill，wherehehadgreatstorehousesanddrovealargetrade。Theyapproachedhishousebyabackentrance，lesttheyshouldattractthenoticeofthecrowd，andwentintoanupperroomwhichfacedtowardsthestreet;thewindows，however，incommonwiththoseofeveryotherroominthehouse，wereboardedupinside，inorderthat，outofdoors，allmightappearquitedark。
Theylaidhimonasofainthischamber，perfectlyinsensible;butJohnimmediatelyfetchingasurgeon，whotookfromhimalargequantityofblood，hegraduallycametohimself。Ashewas，forthetime，tooweaktowalk，theyhadnodifficultyinpersuadinghimtoremainthereallnight，andgothimtobedwithoutlossofaminute。Thatdone，theygavehimcordialandsometoast，andpresentlyaprettystrongcomposing-draught，undertheinfluenceofwhichhesoonfellintoalethargy，and，foratime，forgothistroubles。
Thevintner，whowasaveryheartyoldfellowandaworthyman，hadnothoughtsofgoingtobedhimself，forhehadreceivedseveralthreateningwarningsfromtherioters，andhadindeedgoneoutthateveningtotryandgatherfromtheconversationofthemobwhetherhishousewastobethenextattacked。Hesatallnightinaneasy-chairinthesameroom——dozingalittlenowandthen——andreceivedfromtimetotimethereportsofJohnGruebyandtwoorthreeothertrustworthypersonsinhisemploy，whowentoutintothestreetsasscouts;andforwhoseentertainmentanampleallowanceofgoodcheerwhichtheoldvintner，despitehisanxiety，nowandthenattackedhimselfwassetforthinanadjoiningchamber。
Theseaccountswereofasufficientlyalarmingnaturefromthefirst;butasthenightworeon，theygrewsomuchworse，andinvolvedsuchafearfulamountofriotanddestruction，thatincomparisonwiththesenewtidingsallthepreviousdisturbancessunktonothing。
Thefirstintelligencethatcame，wasofthetakingofNewgate，andtheescapeofalltheprisoners，whosetrack，astheymadeupHolbornandintotheadjacentstreets，wasproclaimedtothosecitizenswhowereshutupintheirhouses，bytherattlingoftheirchains，whichformedadismalconcert，andwasheardineverydirection，asthoughsomanyforgeswereatwork。Theflamestoo，shonesobrightlythroughthevintner’sskylights，thattheroomsandstaircasesbelowwerenearlyaslightasinbroadday;whilethedistantshoutingofthemobseemedtoshaketheverywallsandceilings。
Atlengththeywereheardapproachingthehouse，andsomeminutesofterribleanxietyensued。Theycamecloseup，andstoppedbeforeit;butaftergivingthreeloudyells，wenton。Andalthoughtheyreturnedseveraltimesthatnight，creatingnewalarmseachtime，theydidnothingthere;havingtheirhandsfull。Shortlyaftertheyhadgoneawayforthefirsttime，oneofthescoutscamerunninginwiththenewsthattheyhadstoppedbeforeLordMansfield’shouseinBloomsburySquare。
Soonafterwardstherecameanother，andanother，andthenthefirstreturnedagain，andso，bylittleandlittle，theirtalewasthis:——
ThatthemobgatheringroundLordMansfield’shouse，hadcalledonthosewithintoopenthedoor，andreceivingnoreplyforLordandLadyMansfieldwereatthatmomentescapingbythebackway，forcedanentranceaccordingtotheirusualcustom。Thattheythenbegantodemolishthehousewithgreatfury，andsettingfiretoitinseveralparts，involvedinacommonruinthewholeofthecostlyfurniture，theplateandjewels，abeautifulgalleryofpictures，therarestcollectionofmanuscriptseverpossessedbyanyoneprivatepersonintheworld，andworsethanall，becausenothingcouldreplacethisloss，thegreatLawLibrary，onalmosteverypageofwhichwerenotesintheJudge’sownhand，ofinestimablevalue，——beingtheresultsofthestudyandexperienceofhiswholelife。Thatwhiletheywerehowlingandexultingroundthefire，atroopofsoldiers，withamagistrateamongthem，cameup，andbeingtoolateforthemischiefwasbythattimedone，begantodispersethecrowd。ThattheRiotActbeingread，andthecrowdstillresisting，thesoldiersreceivedorderstofire，andlevellingtheirmusketsshotdeadatthefirstdischargesixmenandawoman，andwoundedmanypersons;andloadingagaindirectly，firedanothervolley，butoverthepeople’sheadsitwassupposed，asnonewereseentofall。Thatthereupon，anddauntedbytheshrieksandtumult，thecrowdbegantodisperse，andthesoldierswentaway，leavingthekilledandwoundedontheground:whichtheyhadnosoonerdonethantherioterscamebackagain，andtakingupthedeadbodies，andthewoundedpeople，formedintoarudeprocession，havingthebodiesinthefront。Thatinthisordertheyparadedoffwithahorriblemerriment;fixingweaponsinthedeadmen’shandstomakethemlookasifalive;andprecededbyafellowringingLordMansfield’sdinner-bellwithallhismight。
Thescoutsreportedfurther，thatthispartymeetingwithsomeotherswhohadbeenatsimilarworkelsewhere，theyallunitedintoone，anddraftingoffafewmenwiththekilledandwounded，marchedawaytoLordMansfield’scountryseatatCaenWood，betweenHampsteadandHighgate;bentupondestroyingthathouselikewise，andlightingupagreatfirethere，whichfromthatheightshouldbeseenalloverLondon。Butinthis，theyweredisappointed，forapartyofhorsehavingarrivedbeforethem，theyretreatedfasterthantheywent，andcamestraightbacktotown。
Therebeingnowagreatmanypartiesinthestreets，eachwenttoworkaccordingtoitshumour，andadozenhouseswerequicklyblazing，includingthoseofSirJohnFieldingandtwootherjustices，andfourinHolborn——oneofthegreatestthoroughfaresinLondon——whichwereallburningatthesametime，andburneduntiltheywentoutofthemselves，forthepeoplecuttheenginehose，andwouldnotsufferthefirementoplayupontheflames。AtonehousenearMoorfields，theyfoundinoneoftheroomssomecanarybirdsincages，andthesetheycastintothefirealive。Thepoorlittlecreaturesscreamed，itwassaid，likeinfants，whentheywereflungupontheblaze;andonemanwassotouchedthathetriedinvaintosavethem，whichrousedtheindignationofthecrowd，andnearlycosthimhislife。
Atthissamehouse，oneofthefellowswhowentthroughtherooms，breakingthefurnitureandhelpingtodestroythebuilding，foundachild’sdoll——apoortoy——whichheexhibitedatthewindowtothemobbelow，astheimageofsomeunholysaintwhichthelateoccupantshadworshipped。Whilehewasdoingthis，anothermanwithanequallytenderconsciencetheyhadbothbeenforemostinthrowingdownthecanarybirdsforroastingalive，tookhisseatontheparapetofthehouse，andharanguedthecrowdfromapamphletcirculatedbytheAssociation，relativetothetrueprinciplesofChristianity！MeanwhiletheLordMayor，withhishandsinhispockets，lookedonasanidlemanmightlookatanyothershow，andseemedmightilysatisfiedtohavegotagoodplace。
SuchweretheaccountsbroughttotheoldvintnerbyhisservantsashesatatthesideofMrHaredale’sbed，havingbeenunableeventodoze，afterthefirstpartofthenight;toomuchdisturbedbyhisownfears;bythecriesofthemob，thelightofthefires，andthefiringofthesoldiers。Such，withtheadditionofthereleaseofalltheprisonersintheNewJailatClerkenwell，andasmanyrobberiesofpassengersinthestreets，asthecrowdhadleisuretoindulgein，werethescenesofwhichMrHaredalewashappilyunconscious，andwhichwereallenactedbeforemidnight。
Chapter67
Whendarknessbrokeawayandmorningbegantodawn，thetownworeastrangeaspectindeed。
Sleephadhardlybeenthoughtofallnight。Thegeneralalarmwassoapparentinthefacesoftheinhabitants，anditsexpressionwassoaggravatedbywantofrestfewpersons，withanypropertytolose，havingdaredgotobedsinceMonday，thatastrangercomingintothestreetswouldhavesupposedsomemortalpestorplaguetohavebeenraging。Inplaceoftheusualcheerfulnessandanimationofmorning，everythingwasdeadandsilent。Theshopsremainedclosed，officesandwarehouseswereshut，thecoachandchairstandsweredeserted，nocartsorwaggonsrumbledthroughtheslowlywakingstreets，theearlycrieswereallhushed;auniversalgloomprevailed。Greatnumbersofpeoplewereout，evenatdaybreak，buttheyflittedtoandfroasthoughtheyshrankfromthesoundoftheirownfootsteps;thepublicwayswerehauntedratherthanfrequented;androundthesmokingruinspeoplestoodapartfromoneanotherandinsilence，notventuringtocondemntherioters，ortobesupposedtodoso，eveninwhispers。
AttheLordPresident’sinPiccadilly，atLambethPalace，attheLordChancellor’sinGreatOrmondStreet，intheRoyalExchange，theBank，theGuildhall，theInnsofCourt，theCourtsofLaw，andeverychamberfrontingthestreetsnearWestminsterHallandtheHousesofParliament，partiesofsoldierswerepostedbeforedaylight。AbodyofHorseGuardsparadedPalaceYard;anencampmentwasformedinthePark，wherefifteenhundredmenandfivebattalionsofMilitiawereunderarms;theTowerwasfortified，thedrawbridgeswereraised，thecannonloadedandpointed，andtworegimentsofartillerybusiedinstrengtheningthefortressandpreparingitfordefence。AnumerousdetachmentofsoldierswerestationedtokeepguardattheNewRiverHead，whichthepeoplehadthreatenedtoattack，andwhere，itwassaid，theymeanttocutoffthemain-pipes，sothattheremightbenowaterfortheextinctionoftheflames。InthePoultry，andonCornhill，andatseveralotherleadingpoints，ironchainsweredrawnacrossthestreet;partiesofsoldiersweredistributedinsomeoftheoldcitychurcheswhileitwasyetdark;andinseveralprivatehousesamongthem，LordRockingham’sinGrosvenorSquare;whichwereblockadedasthoughtosustainasiege，andhadgunspointedfromthewindows。Whenthesunrose，itshoneintohandsomeapartmentsfilledwitharmedmen;thefurniturehastilyheapedawayincorners，andmadeoflittleornoaccount，intheterrorofthetime——onarmsglitteringincitychambers，amongdesksandstools，anddustybooks——intolittlesmokychurchyardsinoddlanesandby-
ways，withsoldierslyingdownamongthetombs，orloungingundertheshadeoftheoneoldtree，andtheirpileofmusketssparklinginthelight——onsolitarysentriespacingupanddownincourtyards，silentnow，butyesterdayresoundingwiththedinandhumofbusiness——everywhereonguard-rooms，garrisons，andthreateningpreparations。
Asthedaycrepton，stillmoreunusualsightswerewitnessedinthestreets。ThegatesoftheKing’sBenchandFleetPrisonsbeingopenedattheusualhour，werefoundtohavenoticesaffixedtothem，announcingthattherioterswouldcomethatnighttoburnthemdown。Thewardens，toowellknowingthelikelihoodtherewasofthispromisebeingfulfilled，werefaintosettheirprisonersatliberty，andgivethemleavetomovetheirgoods;so，allday，suchofthemashadanyfurniturewereoccupiedinconveyingit，sometothisplace，sometothat，andnotafewtothebrokers’
shops，wheretheygladlysoldit，foranywretchedpricethosegentrychosetogive。Thereweresomebrokenmenamongthesedebtorswhohadbeeninjailsolong，andweresomiserableanddestituteoffriends，sodeadtotheworld，andutterlyforgottenanduncaredfor，thattheyimploredtheirjailersnottosetthemfree，andtosendthem，ifneedwere，tosomeotherplaceofcustody。Butthey，refusingtocomply，lesttheyshouldincurtheangerofthemob，turnedthemintothestreets，wheretheywanderedupanddownhardlyrememberingthewaysuntroddenbytheirfeetsolong，andcrying——suchabjectthingsthoserotten-heartedjailshadmadethem——astheyslunkoffintheirrags，anddraggedtheirslipshodfeetalongthepavement。
EvenofthethreehundredprisonerswhohadescapedfromNewgate，thereweresome——afew，butthereweresome——whosoughttheirjailersoutanddeliveredthemselvesup:preferringimprisonmentandpunishmenttothehorrorsofsuchanothernightasthelast。
Manyoftheconvicts，drawnbacktotheiroldplaceofcaptivitybysomeindescribableattraction，orbyadesiretoexultoveritinitsdownfallandgluttheirrevengebyseeingitinashes，actuallywentbackinbroadnoon，andloiteredaboutthecells。Fiftywereretakenatonetimeonthisnextday，withintheprisonwalls;buttheirfatedidnotdeterothers，fortheretheywentinspiteofeverything，andtheretheyweretakenintwosandthrees，twiceorthriceaday，allthroughtheweek。Ofthefiftyjustmentioned，somewereoccupiedinendeavouringtorekindlethefire;butingeneraltheyseemedtohavenoobjectinviewbuttoprowlandloungeabouttheoldplace:beingoftenfoundasleepintheruins，orsittingtalkingthere，oreveneatinganddrinking，asinachoiceretreat。
BesidesthenoticesonthegatesoftheFleetandtheKing’sBench，manysimilarannouncementswereleft，beforeoneo’clockatnoon，atthehousesofprivateindividuals;andfurther，themobproclaimedtheirintentionofseizingontheBank，theMint，theArsenalatWoolwich，andtheRoyalPalaces。Thenoticeswereseldomdeliveredbymorethanoneman，who，ifitwereatashop，wentin，andlaidit，withabloodythreatperhaps，uponthecounter;orifitwereataprivatehouse，knockedatthedoor，andthrustitintheservant’shand。Notwithstandingthepresenceofthemilitaryineveryquarterofthetown，andthegreatforceinthePark，thesemessengersdidtheirerrandswithimpunityallthroughtheday。SodidtwoboyswhowentdownHolbornalone，armedwithbarstakenfromtherailingsofLordMansfield’shouse，anddemandedmoneyfortherioters。SodidatallmanonhorsebackwhomadeacollectionforthesamepurposeinFleetStreet，andrefusedtotakeanythingbutgold。
Arumourhadnowgotintocirculation，too，whichdiffusedagreaterdreadallthroughLondon，eventhanthesepubliclyannouncedintentionsoftherioters，thoughallmenknewthatiftheyweresuccessfullyeffected，theremustensueanationalbankruptcyandgeneralruin。ItwassaidthattheymeanttothrowthegatesofBedlamopen，andletallthemadmenloose。Thissuggestedsuchdreadfulimagestothepeople’sminds，andwasindeedanactsofraughtwithnewandunimaginablehorrorsinthecontemplation，thatitbesetthemmorethananylossorcrueltyofwhichtheycouldforeseetheworst，anddrovemanysanemennearlymadthemselves。
Sothedaypassedon:theprisonersmovingtheirgoods;peoplerunningtoandfrointhestreets，carryingawaytheirproperty;
groupsstandinginsilenceroundtheruins;allbusinesssuspended;
andthesoldiersdisposedashasbeenalreadymentioned，remainingquiteinactive。Sothedaypassedon，anddreadednightdrewnearagain。
Atlast，atseveno’clockintheevening，thePrivyCouncilissuedasolemnproclamationthatitwasnownecessarytoemploythemilitary，andthattheofficershadmostdirectandeffectualorders，byanimmediateexertionoftheirutmostforce，torepressthedisturbances;andwarningallgoodsubjectsoftheKingtokeepthemselves，theirservants，andapprentices，withindoorsthatnight。Therewasthendeliveredouttoeverysoldieronduty，thirty-sixroundsofpowderandball;thedrumsbeat;andthewholeforcewasunderarmsatsunset。
TheCityauthorities，stimulatedbythesevigorousmeasures，heldaCommonCouncil;passedavotethankingthemilitaryassociationswhohadtenderedtheiraidtothecivilauthorities;acceptedit;
andplacedthemunderthedirectionofthetwosheriffs。AttheQueen’spalace，adoubleguard，theyeomenonduty，thegroom-
porters，andallotherattendants，werestationedinthepassagesandonthestaircasesatseveno’clock，withstrictinstructionstobewatchfulontheirpostsallnight;andallthedoorswerelocked。ThegentlemenoftheTemple，andtheotherInns，mountedguardwithintheirgates，andstrengthenedthemwiththegreatstonesofthepavement，whichtheytookupforthepurpose。InLincoln’sInn，theygaveupthehallandcommonstotheNorthumberlandMilitia，underthecommandofLordAlgernonPercy;
insomefewofthecitywards，theburgessesturnedout，andwithoutmakingaveryfierceshow，lookedbraveenough。Somehundredsofstoutgentlementhrewthemselves，armedtotheteeth，intothehallsofthedifferentcompanies，double-lockedandboltedallthegates，anddaredtheriotersamongthemselvestocomeonattheirperil。Thesearrangementsbeingallmadesimultaneously，ornearlyso，werecompletedbythetimeitgotdark;andthenthestreetswerecomparativelyclear，andwereguardedatallthegreatcornersandchiefavenuesbythetroops:whilepartiesoftheofficersrodeupanddowninalldirections，orderingchancestragglershome，andadmonishingtheresidentstokeepwithintheirhouses，and，ifanyfiringensued，nottoapproachthewindows。
Morechainsweredrawnacrosssuchofthethoroughfaresaswereofanaturetofavourtheapproachofagreatcrowd，andateachofthesepointsaconsiderableforcewasstationed。Alltheseprecautionshavingbeentaken，anditbeingnowquitedark，thoseincommandawaitedtheresultinsomeanxiety:andnotwithoutahopethatsuchvigilantdemonstrationsmightofthemselvesdisheartenthepopulace，andpreventanynewoutrages。
Butinthisreckoningtheywerecruellymistaken，forinhalfanhour，orless，asthoughthesettinginofnighthadbeentheirpreconcertedsignal，theriotershavingpreviously，insmallparties，preventedthelightingofthestreetlamps，roselikeagreatsea;andthatinsomanyplacesatonce，andwithsuchinconceivablefury，thatthosewhohadthedirectionofthetroopsknewnot，atfirst，wheretoturnorwhattodo。Oneafteranother，newfiresblazedupineveryquarterofthetown，asthoughitweretheintentionoftheinsurgentstowrapthecityinacircleofflames，which，contractingbydegrees，shouldburnthewholetoashes;thecrowdswarmedandroaredineverystreet;andnonebutriotersandsoldiersbeingoutofdoors，itseemedtothelatterasifallLondonwerearrayedagainstthem，andtheystoodaloneagainstthetown。
Intwohours，six-and-thirtyfireswereraging——six-and-thirtygreatconflagrations:amongthemtheBoroughClinkinTooleyStreet，theKing’sBench，theFleet，andtheNewBridewell。Inalmosteverystreet，therewasabattle;andineveryquarterthemusketsofthetroopswereheardabovetheshoutsandtumultofthemob。ThefiringbeganinthePoultry，wherethechainwasdrawnacrosstheroad，wherenearlyascoreofpeoplewerekilledonthefirstdischarge。TheirbodieshavingbeenhastilycarriedintoStMildred’sChurchbythesoldiers，thelatterfiredagain，andfollowingfastuponthecrowd，whobegantogivewaywhentheysawtheexecutionthatwasdone，formedacrossCheapside，andchargedthematthepointofthebayonet。
Thestreetswerenowadreadfulspectacle。Theshoutsoftherabble，theshrieksofwomen，thecriesofthewounded，andtheconstantfiring，formedadeafeningandanawfulaccompanimenttothesightswhicheverycornerpresented。Wherevertheroadwasobstructedbythechains，therethefightingandthelossoflifeweregreatest;buttherewashotworkandbloodshedinalmosteveryleadingthoroughfare。
AtHolbornBridge，andonHolbornHill，theconfusionwasgreaterthaninanyotherpart;forthecrowdthatpouredoutofthecityintwogreatstreams，onebyLudgateHill，andonebyNewgateStreet，unitedatthatspot，andformedamasssodense，thatateveryvolleythepeopleseemedtofallinheaps。Atthisplacealargedetachmentofsoldierywereposted，whofired，nowupFleetMarket，nowupHolborn，nowupSnowHill——constantlyrakingthestreetsineachdirection。Atthisplacetoo，severallargefireswereburning，sothatalltheterrorsofthatterriblenightseemedtobeconcentratedinonespot。
Fulltwentytimes，therioters，headedbyonemanwhowieldedanaxeinhisrighthand，andbestrodeabrewer’shorseofgreatsizeandstrength，caparisonedwithfetterstakenoutofNewgate，whichclankedandjingledashewent，madeanattempttoforceapassageatthispoint，andfirethevintner’shouse。Fulltwentytimestheywererepulsedwithlossoflife，andstillcamebackagain;
andthoughthefellowattheirheadwasmarkedandsingledoutbyall，andwasaconspicuousobjectastheonlyrioteronhorseback，notamancouldhithim。Sosurelyasthesmokeclearedaway，sosurelytherewashe;callinghoarselytohiscompanions，brandishinghisaxeabovehishead，anddashingonasthoughheboreacharmedlife，andwasproofagainstballandpowder。
ThismanwasHugh;andineverypartoftheriot，hewasseen。HeheadedtwoattacksupontheBank，helpedtobreakopentheToll-
housesonBlackfriarsBridge，andcastthemoneyintothestreet:
firedtwooftheprisonswithhisownhand:washere，andthere，andeverywhere——alwaysforemost——alwaysactive——strikingatthesoldiers，cheeringonthecrowd，makinghishorse’sironmusicheardthroughalltheyellanduproar:butneverhurtorstopped。
Turnhimatoneplace，andhemadeanewstruggleinanotlter;
forcehimtoretreatatthispoint，andheadvancedonthat，directly。DrivenfromHolbornforthetwentiethtime，herodeattheheadofagreatcrowdstraightuponSaintPaul’s，attackedaguardofsoldierswhokeptwatchoverabodyofprisonerswithintheironrailings，forcedthemtoretreat，rescuedthementheyhadincustody，andwiththisaccessiontohisparty，camebackagain，madwithliquorandexcitement，andhallooingthemonlikeademon。
Itwouldhavebeennoeasytaskforthemostcarefulridertositahorseinthemidstofsuchathrongandtumult;butthoughthismadmanrolleduponhisbackhehadnosaddlelikeaboatuponthesea，heneverforaninstantlosthisseat，orfailedtoguidehimwherehewould。Throughtheverythickestofthepress，overdeadbodiesandburningfragments，nowonthepavement，nowintheroad，nowridingupaflightofstepstomakehimselfthemoreconspicuoustohisparty，andnowforcingapassagethroughamassofhumanbeings，socloselysqueezedtogetherthatitseemedasiftheedgeofaknifewouldscarcelypartthem，——onhewent，asthoughhecouldsurmountallobstaclesbythemereexerciseofhiswill。Andperhapshisnotbeingshotwasinsomedegreeattributabletothisverycircumstance;forhisextremeaudacity，andtheconvictionthathemustbeoneofthosetowhomtheproclamationreferred，inspiredthesoldierswithadesiretotakehimalive，anddivertedmanyanaimwhichotherwisemighthavebeenmorenearthemark。
ThevintnerandMrHaredale，unabletositquietlylisteningtothenoisewithoutseeingwhatwenton，hadclimbedtotheroofofthehouse，andhidingbehindastackofchimneys，werelookingcautiouslydownintothestreet，almosthopingthataftersomanyrepulsestherioterswouldbefoiled，whenagreatshoutproclaimedthataparrywerecomingroundtheotherway;andthedismaljinglingofthoseaccursedfetterswarnedthemnextmomentthattheytoowereledbyHugh。ThesoldiershadadvancedintoFleetMarketandweredispersingthepeoplethere;sothattheycameonwithhardlyanycheck，andweresoonbeforethehouse。
’All’sovernow，’saidthevintner。’Fiftythousandpoundswillbescatteredinaminute。Wemustsaveourselves。Wecandonomore，andshallhavereasontobethankfulifwedoasmuch。’
Theirfirstimpulsewas，toclamberalongtheroofsofthehouses，and，knockingatsomegarretwindowforadmission，passdownthatwayintothestreet，andsoescape。Butanotherfiercecryfrombelow，andageneralupturningofthefacesofthecrowd，apprisedthemthattheywerediscovered，andeventhatMrHaredalewasrecognised;forHugh，seeinghimplainlyinthebrightglareofthefire，whichinthatpartmadeitaslightasday，calledtohimbyhisname，andsworetohavehislife。
’Leavemehere，’saidMrHaredale，’andinHeaven’sname，mygoodfriend，saveyourself！Comeon！’hemuttered，asheturnedtowardsHughandfacedhimwithoutanyfurthereffortatconcealment:’Thisroofishigh，andifweclose，wewilldietogether！’
’Madness，’saidthehonestvintner，pullinghimback，’sheermadness。Hearreason，sir。Mygoodsir，hearreason。Icouldnevermakemyselfheardbyknockingatawindownow;andevenifI
could，noonewouldbeboldenoughtoconniveatmyescape。
Throughthecellars，there’sakindofpassageintothebackstreetbywhichwerollcasksinandout。Weshallhavetimetogetdowntherebeforetheycanforceanentry。Donotdelayaninstant，butcomewithme——forbothoursakes——formine——mydeargoodsir！’
Ashespoke，anddrewMrHaredaleback，theyhadbothaglimpseofthestreet。Itwasbutaglimpse，butitshowedthemthecrowd，gatheringandclusteringroundthehouse:someofthearmedmenpressingtothefronttobreakdownthedoorsandwindows，somebringingbrandsfromthenearestfire，somewithliftedfacesfollowingtheircourseupontheroofandpointingthemouttotheircompanions:allragingandroaringliketheflamestheylightedup。
Theysawsomementhirstingforthetreasuresofstrongliquorwhichtheyknewwerestoredwithin;theysawothers，whohadbeenwounded，sinkingdownintotheoppositedoorwaysanddying，solitarywretches，inthemidstofallthevastassemblage;hereafrightenedwomantryingtoescape;andtherealostchild;andthereadrunkenruffian，unconsciousofthedeath-woundonhishead，ravingandfightingtothelast。Allthesethings，andevensuchtrivialincidentsasamanwithhishatoff，orturninground，orstoopingdown，orshakinghandswithanother，theymarkeddistinctly;yetinaglancesobrief，that，intheactofsteppingback，theylostthewhole，andsawbutthepalefacesofeachother，andtheredskyabovethem。
MrHaredaleyieldedtotheentreatiesofhiscompanion——morebecausehewasresolvedtodefendhim，thanforanythoughthehadofhisownlife，oranycareheentertainedforhisownsafety——andquicklyre-enteringthehouse，theydescendedthestairstogether。
Loudblowswerethunderingontheshutters，crowbarswerealreadythrustbeneaththedoor，theglassfellfromthesashes，adeeplightshonethrougheverycrevice，andtheyheardthevoicesoftheforemostinthecrowdsoclosetoeverychinkandkeyhole，thattheyseemedtobehoarselywhisperingtheirthreatsintotheirveryears。Theyhadbutamomentreachedthebottomofthecellar-stepsandshutthedoorbehindthem，whenthemobbrokein。
Thevaultswereprofoundlydark，andhavingnotorchorcandle——fortheyhadbeenafraidtocarryone，lestitshouldbetraytheirplaceofrefuge——theywereobligedtogropewiththeirhands。Buttheywerenotlongwithoutlight，fortheyhadnotgonefarwhentheyheardthecrowdforcingthedoor;and，lookingbackamongthelow-archedpassages，couldseetheminthedistance，hurryingtoandfrowithflashinglinks，broachingthecasks，stavingthegreatvats，turningoffupontherighthandandtheleft，intothedifferentcellars，andlyingdowntodrinkatthechannelsofstrongspiritswhichwerealreadyflowingontheground。
Theyhurriedon，notthelessquicklyforthis;andhadreachedtheonlyvaultwhichlaybetweenthemandthepassageout，whensuddenly，fromthedirectioninwhichtheyweregoing，astronglightgleamedupontheirfaces;andbeforetheycouldslipaside，orturnback，orhidethemselves，twomenonebearingatorch
cameuponthem，andcriedinanastonishedwhisper，’Heretheyare！’
Atthesameinstanttheypulledoffwhattheyworeupontheirheads。MrHaredalesawbeforehimEdwardChester，andthensaw，whenthevintnergaspedhisname，JoeWillet。
Ay，thesameJoe，thoughwithanarmtheless，whousedtomakethequarterlyjourneyonthegreymaretopaythebilltothepurple-
facedvintner;andthatverysamepurple-facedvintner，formerlyofThamesStreet，nowlookedhimintheface，andchallengedhimbyname。
’Givemeyourhand，’saidJoesoftly，takingitwhethertheastonishedvintnerwouldorno。’Don’tfeartoshakeit;it’safriendlyoneandaheartyone，thoughithasnofellow。Why，howwellyoulookandhowbluffyouare！Andyou——Godblessyou，sir。
Takeheart，takeheart。We’llfindthem。Beofgoodcheer;wehavenotbeenidle。’
TherewassomethingsohonestandfrankinJoe’sspeech，thatMrHaredaleputhishandinhisinvoluntarily，thoughtheirmeetingwassuspiciousenough。ButhisglanceatEdwardChester，andthatgentleman’skeepingaloof，werenotlostuponJoe，whosaidbluntly，glancingatEdwardwhilehespoke:
’Timesarechanged，MrHaredale，andtimeshavecomewhenweoughttoknowfriendsfromenemies，andmakenoconfusionofnames。Letmetellyouthatbutforthisgentleman，youwouldmostlikelyhavebeendeadbythistime，orbadlywoundedatthebest。’
’Whatdoyousay？’criedMrHaredale。
’Isay，’saidJoe，’first，thatitwasaboldthingtobeinthecrowdatalldisguisedasoneofthem;thoughIwon’tsaymuchaboutthat，onsecondthoughts，forthat’smycasetoo。Secondly，thatitwasabraveandgloriousaction——that’swhatIcallit——tostrikethatfellowoffhishorsebeforetheireyes！’
’Whatfellow！Whoseeyes！’
’Whatfellow，sir！’criedJoe:’afellowwhohasnogoodwilltoyou，andwhohasthedaringanddevilryinhimoftwentyfellows。
Iknowhimofold。Onceinthehouse，HEwouldhavefoundyou，hereoranywhere。Therestoweyounoparticulargrudge，and，unlesstheyseeyou，willonlythinkofdrinkingthemselvesdead。
Butwelosetime。Areyouready？’
’Quite，’saidEdward。’Putoutthetorch，Joe，andgoon。Andbesilent，there’sagoodfellow。’
’Silentornotsilent，’murmuredJoe，ashedroppedtheflaringlinkupontheground，crusheditwithhisfoot，andgavehishandtoMrHaredale，’itwasabraveandgloriousaction;——nomancanalterthat。’
BothMrHaredaleandtheworthyvintnerweretooamazedandtoomuchhurriedtoaskanyfurtherquestions，sofollowedtheirconductorsinsilence。Itseemed，fromashortwhisperingwhichpresentlyensuedbetweenthemandthevintnerrelativetothebestwayofescape，thattheyhadenteredbytheback-door，withtheconnivanceofJohnGrueby，whowatchedoutsidewiththekeyinhispocket，andwhomtheyhadtakenintotheirconfidence。Apartyofthecrowdcomingupthatway，justastheyentered，Johnhaddouble-lockedthedooragain，andmadeoffforthesoldiers，sothatmeansofretreatwascutofffromunderthem。
However，asthefront-doorhadbeenforced，andthisminorcrowd，beinganxioustogetattheliquor，hadnofancyforlosingtimeinbreakingdownanother，buthadgoneroundandgotinfromHolbornwiththerest，thenarrowlaneintherearwasquitefreeofpeople。So，whentheyhadcrawledthroughthepassageindicatedbythevintnerwhichwasamereshelving-trapfortheadmissionofcasks，andhadmanagedwithsomedifficultytounchainandraisethedoorattheupperend，theyemergedintothestreetwithoutbeingobservedorinterrupted。JoestillholdingMrHaredaletight，andEdwardtakingthesamecareofthevintner，theyhurriedthroughthestreetsatarapidpace;occasionallystandingasidetoletsomefugitivesgoby，ortokeepoutofthewayofthesoldierswhofollowedthem，andwhosequestions，whentheyhaltedtoputany，werespeedilystoppedbyonewhisperedwordfromJoe。
Chapter68
WhileNewgatewasburningonthepreviousnight，Barnabyandhisfather，havingbeenpassedamongthecrowdfromhandtohand，stoodinSmithfield，ontheoutskirtsofthemob，gazingattheflameslikemenwhohadbeensuddenlyrousedfromsleep。Somemomentselapsedbeforetheycoulddistinctlyrememberwheretheywere，orhowtheygotthere;orrecollectedthatwhiletheywerestandingidleandlistlessspectatorsofthefire，theyhadtoolsintheirhandswhichhadbeenhurriedlygiventhemthattheymightfreethemselvesfromtheirfetters。
Barnaby，heavilyironedashewas，ifhehadobeyedhisfirstimpulse，orifhehadbeenalone，wouldhavemadehiswaybacktothesideofHugh，whotohiscloudedintellectnowshoneforthwiththenewlustreofbeinghispreserverandtruestfriend。Buthisfather’sterrorofremaininginthestreets，communicateditselftohimwhenhecomprehendedthefullextentofhisfears，andimpressedhimwiththesameeagernesstoflytoaplaceofsafety。
Inacornerofthemarketamongthepensforcattle，Barnabykneltdown，andpausingeverynowandthentopasshishandoverhisfather’sface，orlookuptohimwithasmile，knockedoffhisirons。Whenhehadseenhimspring，afreeman，tohisfeet，andhadgivenventtothetransportofdelightwhichthesightawakened，hewenttoworkuponhisown，whichsoonfellrattlingdownupontheground，andlefthislimbsunfettered。
Glidingawaytogetherwhenthistaskwasaccomplished，andpassingseveralgroupsofmen，eachgatheredroundastoopingfiguretohidehimfromthosewhopassed，butunabletorepresstheclankingsoundofhammers，whichtoldthattheytoowerebusyatthesamework，——thetwofugitivesmadetowardsClerkenwell，andpassingthencetoIslington，asthenearestpointofegress，werequicklyinthefields。Afterwanderingaboutforalongtime，theyfoundinapasturenearFinchleyapoorshed，withwallsofmud，androofofgrassandbrambles，builtforsomecowherd，butnowdeserted。
Here，theylaydownfortherestofthenight。