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grasped it firmly and stood upon his guard。 If ever man believed
with his whole heart and soul that he was engaged in a just cause；
and that he was bound to stand by his leader to the last； poor
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Barnaby believed it of himself and Lord George Gordon。
After an ineffectual attempt to make himself heard； the
magistrate gave the word and the Horse Guards came riding in
among the crowd。 But； even then； he galloped here and there；
exhorting the people to disperse； and； although heavy stones were
thrown at the men； and some were desperately cut and bruised；
they had no orders but to make prisoners of such of the rioters as
were the most active； and to drive the people back with the flat of
their sabres。 As the horses came in among them； the throng gave
way at many points； and the Guards； following up their advantage；
were rapidly clearing the ground； when two or three of the
foremost； who were in a manner cut off from the rest by the people
closing round them； made straight towards Barnaby and Hugh；
who had no doubt been pointed out as the two men who dropped
into the lobby： laying about them now with some effect； and
inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents； a few slight
flesh wounds； under the influence of which a man dropped； here
and there； into the arms of his fellows； amid much groaning and
confusion。
At the sight of gashed and bloody faces； seen for a moment in
the crowd； then hidden by the press around them； Barnaby turned
pale and sick。 But he stood his ground； and grasping his pole more
firmly yet； kept his eye fixed upon the nearest soldier—nodding
his head meanwhile； as Hugh； with a scowling visage； whispered
in his ear。
The soldier came spurring on； making his horse rear as the
people pressed about him； cutting at the hands of those who would
have grasped his rein and forced his charger back； and waving to
his comrades to follow—and still Barnaby； without retreating an
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inch； waited for his coming。 Some called to him to fly； and some
were in the very act of closing round him； to prevent his being
taken； when the pole swept into the air above the people’s heads；
and the man’s saddle was empty in an instant。
Then； he and Hugh turned and fled； the crowd opening to let
them pass； and closing up again so quickly that there was no clue
to the course they had taken。 Panting for breath； hot； dusty； and
exhausted with fatigue； they reached the riverside in safety； and
getting into a boat with all despatch were soon out of any
immediate danger。
As they glided down the river； they plainly heard the people
cheering； and supposing they might have forced the soldiers to
retreat； lay upon their oars for a few minutes； uncertain whether
to return or not。 But the crowd passing along Westminster Bridge；
soon assured them that the populace were dispersing； and Hugh
rightly guessed from this； that they had cheered the magistrate for
offering to dismiss the military on condition of their immediate
departure to their several homes； and that he and Barnaby were
better where they were。 He advised； therefore； that they should
proceed to Blackfriars； and； going ashore at the bridge； make the
best of their way to The Boot； where there was not only good
entertainment and safe lodging； but where they would certainly be
joined by many of their late companions。 Barnaby assenting； they
decided on this course of action； and pulled for Blackfriars
accordingly。
They landed at a critical time； and fortunately for themselves at
the right moment。 For； coming into Fleet Street； they found it in
an unusual stir； and inquiring the cause； were told that a body of
Horse Guards had just galloped past； and that they were escorting
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some rioters whom they had made prisoners； to Newgate for
safety。 Not at all ill…pleased to have so narrowly escaped the
cavalcade； they lost no more time in asking questions； but hurried
to The Boot with as much speed as Hugh considered it prudent to
make； without appearing singular or attracting an inconvenient
share of public notice。
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Chapter 50
hey were among the first to reach the tavern； but they had
not been there many minutes； when several groups of men
T
who had formed part of the crowd； came straggling in。
Among them were Simon Tappertit and Mr Dennis； both of whom；
but especially the latter； greeted Barnaby with the utmost warmth；
and paid him many compliments on the prowess he had shown。
‘Which；’ said Dennis； with an oath； as he rested his bludgeon in
a corner with his hat upon it； and took his seat at the same table
with them； ‘it does me good to think of。 There was a opportunity！
But it led to nothing。 For my part； I don’t know what would。
There’s no spirit among the people in these here times。 Bring
something to eat and drink here。 I’m disgusted with humanity。’
‘On what account？’ asked Mr Tappertit； who had been
quenching his fiery face in a half…gallon can。 ‘Don’t you consider
this a good beginning； mister？’
‘Give me security that it an’t a ending；’ rejoined the hangman。
‘When that soldier went down； we might have made London ours；
but no；—we stand； and gape； and look on—the justice （I wish he
had had a bullet in each eye； as he would have had； if we’d gone to
work my way） says； “My lads； if you’ll give me your word to
disperse； I’