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Presently； they marched into the yard； and halted。 The
commanding…officer despatched a messenger to the horsemen；
one of whom came riding back。 Some words passed between
them； and they glanced at Barnaby； who well remembered the
man he had unhorsed at Westminster； and saw him now before his
eyes。 The man being speedily dismissed； saluted； and rode back to
his comrades； who were drawn up apart at a short distance。
The officer then gave the word to prime and load。 The heavy
ringing of the musket…stocks upon the ground； and the sharp and
rapid rattling of the ramrods in their barrels； were a kind of relief
to Barnaby； deadly though he knew the purport of such sounds to
be。 When this was done； other commands were given； and the
soldiers instantaneously formed in single file all round the house
and stables； completely encircling them in every part； at a
distance； perhaps； of some half…dozen yards； at least that seemed
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in Barnaby’s eyes to be about the space left between himself and
those who confronted him。 The horsemen remained drawn up by
themselves as before。
The two gentlemen in private clothes who had kept aloof； now
rode forward； one on either side the officer。 The proclamation
having been produced and read by one of them； the officer called
on Barnaby to surrender。
He made no answer； but stepping within the door； before which
he had kept guard； held his pole crosswise to protect it。 In the
midst of a profound silence； he was again called upon to yield。
Still he offered no reply。 Indeed he had enough to do； to run his
eye backward and forward along the half…dozen men who
immediately fronted him； and settle hurriedly within himself at
which of them he would strike first； when they pressed on him。 He
caught the eye of one in the centre； and resolved to hew that fellow
down； though he died for it。
Again there was a dead silence； and again the same voice called
upon him to deliver himself up。
Next moment he was back in the stable； dealing blows about
him like a madman。 Two of the men lay stretched at his feet： the
one he had marked； dropped first—he had a thought for that； even
in the hot blood and hurry of the struggle。 Another blow—another！
Down； mastered； wounded in the breast by a heavy blow from the
butt…end of a gun （he saw the weapon in the act of falling）—
breathless—and a prisoner。
An exclamation of surprise from the officer recalled him； in
some degree； to himself。 He looked round。 Grip； after working in
secret all the afternoon； and with redoubled vigour while
everybody’s attention was distracted； had plucked away the straw
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Barnaby Rudge 618
from Hugh’s bed； and turned up the loose ground with his iron
bill。 The hole had been recklessly filled to the brim； and was
merely sprinkled with earth。 Golden cups； spoons； candlesticks；
coined guineas—all the riches were revealed。
They brought spades and a sack； dug up everything that was
hidden there； and carried away more than two men could lift。
They handcuffed him and bound his arms； searched him； and took
away all he had。 Nobody questioned or reproached him； or seemed
to have much curiosity about him。 The two men he had stunned；
were carried off by their companions in the same business…like
way in which everything else was done。 Finally； he was left under
a guard of four soldiers with fixed bayonets； while the officer
directed in person the search of the house and the other buildings
connected with it。
This was soon completed。 The soldiers formed again in the
yard； he was marched out； with his guard about him； and ordered
to fall in； where a space was left。 The others closed up all round；
and so they moved away； with the prisoner in the centre。
When they came into the streets； he felt he was a sight； and
looking up as they passed quickly along； could see people running
to the windows a little too late； and throwing up the sashes to look
after him。 Sometimes he met a staring face beyond the heads
about him； or under the arms of his conductors； or peering down
upon him from a waggon…top or coach…box； but this was all he saw；
being surrounded by so many men。 The very noises of the streets
seemed muffled and subdued； and the air came stale and hot upon
him； like the sickly breath of an oven。
Tramp； tramp。 Tramp； tramp。 Heads erect； shoulders square；
every man stepping in exact time—all so orderly and regular—
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Barnaby Rudge 619
nobody looking at him—nobody seeming conscious of his
presence；—he could hardly believe he was a Prisoner。 But at the
word； though only thought； not spoken； he felt the handcuffs
galling his wrists； the cord pressing his arms to his sides： the
loaded guns levelled at his head； and those cold； bright； sharp；
shining points turned towards him： the mere looking down at
which； now that he was bound and helpless； made the warm
current of his life run cold。
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Chapter 58
hey were not long in reaching the barracks； for the officer
who commanded the party was desirous to avoid rousing
T
the people by the display of military force in the streets；
and was humanely anxious to give as little opportunity as possible
for any attempt at rescue； knowing that it must lead to bloodshed
and loss of life； and that if the civil authorities by whom he was
accompanied；