按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
his feet； incredulous of what had happened； when the yard was
filled again； and a crowd rushed on； hurrying Barnaby among
them。 In another minute—not so much： another minute！ the same
instant； with no lapse or interval between！—he and his son were
being passed from hand to hand； through the dense crowd in the
street； and were glancing backward at a burning pile which some
one said was Newgate。
From the moment of their first entrance into the prison； the
crowd dispersed themselves about it； and swarmed into every
chink and crevice； as if they had a perfect acquaintance with its
innermost parts； and bore in their minds an exact plan of the
whole。 For this immediate knowledge of the place； they were； no
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 697…
Barnaby Rudge 698
doubt； in a great degree； indebted to the hangman； who stood in
the lobby； directing some to go this way； some that； and some the
other； and who materially assisted in bringing about the
wonderful rapidity with which the release of the prisoners was
effected。
But this functionary of the law reserved one important piece of
intelligence； and kept it snugly to himself。 When he had issued his
instructions relative to every other part of the building； and the
mob were dispersed from end to end； and busy at their work； he
took a bundle of keys from a kind of cupboard in the wall； and
going by a kind of passage near the chapel （it joined the governors
house； and was then on fire）； betook himself to the condemned
cells； which were a series of small； strong； dismal rooms； opening
on a low gallery； guarded； at the end at which he entered； by a
strong iron wicket； and at its opposite extremity by two doors and
a thick grate。 Having double locked the wicket； and assured
himself that the other entrances were well secured； he sat down on
a bench in the gallery； and sucked the head of his stick with the
utmost complacency； tranquillity； and contentment。
It would have been strange enough； a man’s enjoying himself in
this quiet manner； while the prison was burning； and such a
tumult was cleaving the air； though he had been outside the walls。
But here； in the very heart of the building； and moreover with the
prayers and cries of the four men under sentence sounding in his
ears； and their hands； stretched our through the gratings in their
cell…doors； clasped in frantic entreaty before his very eyes； it was
particularly remarkable。 Indeed； Mr Dennis appeared to think it
an uncommon circumstance； and to banter himself upon it； for he
thrust his hat on one side as some men do when they are in a
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 698…
Barnaby Rudge 699
waggish humour； sucked the head of his stick with a higher relish；
and smiled as though he would say； ‘Dennis； you’re a rum dog；
you’re a queer fellow； you’re capital company； Dennis； and quite a
character！’
He sat in this way for some minutes； while the four men in the
cells； who were certain that somebody had entered the gallery； but
could not see who； gave vent to such piteous entreaties as
wretches in their miserable condition may be supposed to have
been inspired with： urging； whoever it was； to set them at liberty；
for the love of Heaven； and protesting； with great fervour； and
truly enough； perhaps； for the time； that if they escaped； they
would amend their ways； and would never； never； never again do
wrong before God or man； but would lead penitent and sober lives；
and sorrowfully repent the crimes they had committed。 The
terrible energy with which they spoke； would have moved any
person； no matter how good or just （if any good or just person
could have strayed into that sad place that night）； to have set them
at liberty： and； while he would have left any other punishment to
its free course； to have saved them from this last dreadful and
repulsive penalty； which never turned a man inclined to evil； and
has hardened thousands who were half inclined to good。
Mr Dennis； who had been bred and nurtured in the good old
school； and had administered the good old laws on the good old
plan； always once and sometimes twice every six weeks； for a long
time； bore these appeals with a deal of philosophy。 Being at last；
however； rather disturbed in his pleasant reflection by their
repetition； he rapped at one of the doors with his stick； and cried：
‘Hold your noise there； will you？’
At this they all cried together that they were to be hanged on
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 699…
Barnaby Rudge 700
the next day but one； and again implored his aid。
‘Aid！ For what！’ said Mr Dennis； playfully rapping the knuckles
of the hand nearest him。
‘To save us！’ they cried。
‘Oh； certainly；’ said Mr Dennis； winking at the wall in the
absence of any friend with whom he could humour the joke。 ‘And
so you’re to be worked off； are you； brothers？’
‘Unless we are released to…night；’ one of them cried； ‘we are
dead men！’
‘I tell you what it is；’ said the hangman； gravely； ‘I’m afraid； my
friend； that you’re not in that ’ere state of mind that’s suitable to
your condition； then； you’re not a…going to be released： don’t think
it—Will you leave off that ’ere indecent row？ I wonder you an’t
ashamed of yourselves； I do。’
He followed up this reproof by rapping every set of knuckles
one after the other； and having done so； resumed his seat again
with a cheerful countenance。
‘You’ve had law；’ he said； crossing his legs and elevating his
eyebrows： ‘laws have been made a’ purpose for you； a wery
handsome prison’s been made a’ purpose for you； a parson’s kept