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Call for drink！ There’s enough of gold and silver cups and
candlesticks buried underneath my bed；’ he added； rolling back
the straw； and pointing to where the ground was newly turned； ‘to
pay for it； if it was a score of casks full。 Drink； captain！’
Mr Tappertit received these jovial promptings with a very bad
grace； being much the worse； both in mind and body； for his two
nights of debauch； and but indifferently able to stand upon his
legs。 With Hugh’s assistance； however； he contrived to stagger to
the pump； and having refreshed himself with an abundant
draught of cold water； and a copious shower of the same
refreshing liquid on his head and face； he ordered some rum and
milk to be served； and upon that innocent beverage and some
biscuits and cheese made a pretty hearty meal。 That done； he
disposed himself in an easy attitude on the ground beside his two
companions （who were carousing after their own tastes）； and
proceeded to enlighten Mr Dennis in reference to to…morrow’s
project。
That their conversation was an interesting one； was rendered
manifest by its length； and by the close attention of all three。 That
it was not of an oppressively grave character； but was enlivened by
various pleasantries arising out of the subject； was clear from their
loud and frequent roars of laughter； which startled Barnaby on his
post； and made him wonder at their levity。 But he was not
summoned to join them； until they had eaten； and drunk； and
slept； and talked together for some hours； not； indeed； until the
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twilight； when they informed him that they were about to make a
slight demonstration in the streets—just to keep the people’s
hands in； as it was Sunday night； and the public might otherwise
be disappointed—and that he was free to accompany them if he
would。
Without the slightest preparation； saving that they carried clubs
and wore the blue cockade； they sallied out into the streets； and；
with no more settled design than that of doing as much mischief as
they could； paraded them at random。 Their numbers rapidly
increasing； they soon divided into parties； and agreeing to meet
by…and…by； in the fields near Welbeck Street； scoured the town in
various directions。 The largest body； and that which augmented
with the greatest rapidity； was the one to which Hugh and
Barnaby belonged。 This took its way towards Moorfields； where
there was a rich chapel； and in which neighbourhood several
Catholic families were known to reside。
Beginning with the private houses so occupied； they broke open
the doors and windows； and while they destroyed the furniture
and left but the bare walls； made a sharp search for tools and
engines of destruction； such as hammers； pokers； axes； saws； and
such like instruments。 Many of the rioters made belts of cord； of
handkerchiefs； or any material they found at hand； and wore these
weapons as openly as pioneers upon a field…day。 There was not the
least disguise or concealment—indeed； on this night； very little
excitement or hurry。 From the chapels； they tore down and took
away the very altars； benches； pulpits； pews； and flooring； from the
dwelling…houses； the very wainscoting and stairs。 This Sunday
evening’s recreation they pursued like mere workmen who had a
certain task to do； and did it。 Fifty resolute men might have turned
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them at any moment； a single company of soldiers could have
scattered them like dust； but no man interposed； no authority
restrained them； and； except by the terrified persons who fled
from their approach； they were as little heeded as if they were
pursuing their lawful occupations with the utmost sobriety and
good conduct。
In the same manner； they marched to the place of rendezvous
agreed upon； made great fires in the fields； and reserving the most
valuable of their spoils； burnt the rest。 Priestly garments； images
of saints； rich stuffs and ornaments； altar…furniture and household
goods； were cast into the flames； and shed a glare on the whole
country round； but they danced and howled； and roared about
these fires till they were tired； and were never for an instant
checked。
As the main body filed off from this scene of action； and passed
down Welbeck Street； they came upon Gashford； who had been a
witness of their proceedings； and was walking stealthily along the
pavement。 Keeping up with him； and yet not seeming to speak；
Hugh muttered in his ear：
‘Is this better； master？’
‘No；’ said Gashford。 ‘It is not。’
‘What would you have？’ said Hugh。 ‘Fevers are never at their
height at once。 They must get on by degrees。’
‘I would have you；’ said Gashford； pinching his arm with such
malevolence that his nails seemed to meet in the skin； ‘I would
have you put some meaning into your work。 Fools！ Can you make
no better bonfires than of rags and scraps？ Can you burn nothing
whole？’
‘A little patience； master；’ said Hugh。 ‘Wait but a few hours； and
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you shall see。 Look for a redness in the sky； to…morrow night。’
With that； he fell back into his place beside Barnaby； and when
the secretary looked after him； both were lost in the crowd。
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Chapter 53
he next day was ushered in by merry peals of bells； and by
the firing of the