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gesture from Gashford； and a dead silence directly。
‘I am afraid；’ he said； this time； ‘that we have little reason；
gentlemen； to hope for any redress from the proceedings of
Parliament。 But we must redress our own grievances； we must
meet again； we must put our trust in Providence； and it will bless
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our endeavours。’
This speech being a little more temperate than the last； was not
so favourably received。 When the noise and exasperation were at
their height； he came back once more； and told them that the
alarm had gone forth for many miles round； that when the King
heard of their assembling together in that great body； he had no
doubt； His Majesty would send down private orders to have their
wishes complied with； and—with the manner of his speech as
childish； irresolute； and uncertain as his matter—was proceeding
in this strain； when two gentlemen suddenly appeared at the door
where he stood； and pressing past him and coming a step or two
lower down upon the stairs； confronted the people。
The boldness of this action quite took them by surprise。 They
were not the less disconcerted； when one of the gentlemen；
turning to Lord George； spoke thus—in a loud voice that they
might hear him well； but quite coolly and collectedly：
‘You may tell these people； if you please； my lord； that I am
General Conway of whom they have heard； and that I oppose this
petition； and all their proceedings； and yours。 I am a soldier； you
may tell them； and I will protect the freedom of this place with my
sword。 You see； my lord； that the members of this House are all in
arms to…day； you know that the entrance to it is a narrow one； you
cannot be ignorant that there are men within these walls who are
determined to defend that pass to the last； and before whom many
lives must fall if your adherents persevere。 Have a care what you
do。’
‘And my Lord George；’ said the other gentleman； addressing
him in like manner； ‘I desire them to hear this； from me—Colonel
Gordon—your near relation。 If a man among this crowd； whose
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uproar strikes us deaf； crosses the threshold of the House of
Commons； I swear to run my sword that moment—not into his；
but into your body！’
With that； they stepped back again； keeping their faces towards
the crowd； took each an arm of the misguided nobleman； drew
him into the passage； and shut the door； which they directly
locked and fastened on the inside。
This was so quickly done； and the demeanour of both
gentlemen—who were not young men either—was so gallant and
resolute； that the crowd faltered and stared at each other with
irresolute and timid looks。 Many tried to turn towards the door；
some of the faintest…hearted cried they had best go back； and
called to those behind to give way； and the panic and confusion
were increasing rapidly； when Gashford whispered Hugh。
‘What now！’ Hugh roared aloud； turning towards them。 ‘Why go
back？ Where can you do better than here； boys！ One good rush
against these doors and one below at the same time； will do the
business。 Rush on； then！ As to the door below； let those stand back
who are afraid。 Let those who are not afraid； try who shall be the
first to pass it。 Here goes！ Look out down there！’
Without the delay of an instant； he threw himself headlong over
the bannisters into the lobby below。 He had hardly touched the
ground when Barnaby was at his side。 The chaplain’s assistant；
and some members who were imploring the people to retire；
immediately withdrew； and then； with a great shout； both crowds
threw themselves against the doors pell…mell； and besieged the
House in earnest。
At that moment； when a second onset must have brought them
into collision with those who stood on the defensive within； in
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which case great loss of life and bloodshed would inevitably have
ensued；—the hindmost portion of the crowd gave way； and the
rumour spread from mouth to mouth that a messenger had been
despatched by water for the military； who were forming in the
street。 Fearful of sustaining a charge in the narrow passages in
which they were so closely wedged together； the throng poured
out as impetuously as they had flocked in。 As the whole stream
turned at once； Barnaby and Hugh went with it： and so； fighting
and struggling and trampling on fallen men and being trampled
on in turn themselves； they and the whole mass floated by degrees
into the open street； where a large detachment of the Guards； both
horse and foot； came hurrying up； clearing the ground before
them so rapidly that the people seemed to melt away as they
advanced。
The word of command to halt being given； the soldiers formed
across the street； the rioters； breathless and exhausted with their
late exertions； formed likewise； though in a very irregular and
disorderly manner。 The commanding officer rode hastily into the
open space between the two bodies； accompanied by a magistrate
and an officer of the House of Commons； for whose
accommodation a couple of troopers had hastily dismounted。 The
Riot Act was read； but not a man stirred。
In the first rank of the insurgents； Barnaby and Hugh stood
side by side。 Somebody had thrust into Barnaby’s hands when he
came out into the street； his precious flag； which； being now rolled
up and tied round the pole； looked like a giant quarter…staff as he
grasped it firmly and stood upon his guard。 If ever man believed
with his whole heart and so