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Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
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he breaks it out to her； that’s all；’ said Dennis。 ‘She’s one of them
fine； black…eyed； proud gals； as I wouldn’t trust at such times with
a knife too near ’em。 I’ve seen some of that sort； afore now。 I
recollect one that was worked off； many year ago—and there was a
gentleman in that case too—that says to me； with her lip a
trembling； but her hand as steady as ever I see one： “Dennis； I’m
near my end； but if I had a dagger in these fingers； and he was
within my reach； I’d strike him dead afore me；”—ah； she did—and
she’d have done it too！’
Strike who dead？’ demanded Hugh。
‘How should I know； brother？’ answered Dennis。 ‘She never
said； not she。’
Hugh looked； for a moment； as though he would have made
some further inquiry into this incoherent recollection； but Simon
Tappertit； who had been meditating deeply； gave his thoughts a
new direction。
‘Hugh！’ said Sim。 ‘You have done well to…day。 You shall be
rewarded。 So have you； Dennis。—There’s no young woman you
want to carry off； is there？’
‘N—no；’ returned that gentleman； stroking his grizzly beard；
which was some two inches long。 ‘None in partickler； I think。’
‘Very good；’ said Sim； ‘then we’ll find some other way of making
it up to you。 As to you； old boy’—he turned to Hugh—‘you shall
have Miggs （her that I promised you； you know） within three days。
Mind。 I pass my word for it。’
Hugh thanked him heartily； and as he did so； his laughing fit
returned with such violence that he was obliged to hold his side
with one hand； and to lean with the other on the shoulder of his
small captain； without whose support he would certainly have
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rolled upon the ground。
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Chapter 60
he three worthies turned their faces towards The Boot；
with the intention of passing the night in that place of
T
rendezvous； and of seeking the repose they so much
needed in the shelter of their old den； for now that the mischief
and destruction they had purposed were achieved； and their
prisoners were safely bestowed for the night； they began to be
conscious of exhaustion； and to feel the wasting effects of the
madness which had led to such deplorable results。
Notwithstanding the lassitude and fatigue which oppressed him
now； in common with his two companions； and indeed with all
who had taken an active share in that night’s work； Hugh’s
boisterous merriment broke out afresh whenever he looked at
Simon Tappertit； and vented itself—much to that gentleman’s
indignation—in such shouts of laughter as bade fair to bring the
watch upon them； and involve them in a skirmish； to which in
their present worn…out condition they might prove by no means
equal。 Even Mr Dennis； who was not at all particular on the score
of gravity or dignity； and who had a great relish for his young
friend’s eccentric humours； took occasion to remonstrate with him
on this imprudent behaviour； which he held to be a species of
suicide； tantamount to a man’s working himself off without being
overtaken by the law； than which he could imagine nothing more
ridiculous or impertinent。
Not abating one jot of his noisy mirth for these remonstrances；
Hugh reeled along between them； having an arm of each； until
they hove in sight of The Boot； and were within a field or two of
that convenient tavern。 He happened by great good luck to have
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roared and shouted himself into silence by this time。 They were
proceeding onward without noise； when a scout who had been
creeping about the ditches all night； to warn any stragglers from
encroaching further on what was now such dangerous ground；
peeped cautiously from his hiding…place； and called to them to
stop。
‘Stop！ and why？’ said Hugh。
Because （the scout replied） the house was filled with constables
and soldiers； having been surprised that afternoon。 The inmates
had fled or been taken into custody； he could not say which。 He
had prevented a great many people from approaching nearer； and
he believed they had gone to the markets and such places to pass
the night。 He had seen the distant fires； but they were all out now。
He had heard the people who passed and repassed； speaking of
them too； and could report that the prevailing opinion was one of
apprehension and dismay。 He had not heard a word of Barnaby—
didn’t even know his name—but it had been said in his hearing
that some man had been taken and carried off to Newgate。
Whether this was true or false； he could not affirm。
The three took counsel together； on hearing this； and debated
what it might be best to do。 Hugh； deeming it possible that
Barnaby was in the hands of the soldiers； and at that moment
under detention at The Boot； was for advancing stealthily； and
firing the house； but his companions； who objected to such rash
measures unless they had a crowd at their backs； represented that
if Barnaby were taken he had assuredly been removed to a
stronger prison； they would never have dreamed of keeping him
all night in a place so weak and open to attack。 Yielding