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some； that they should have rescued the other prisoners； and this
would not have happened。 One man cried in a loud voice； ‘Who’ll
follow me to Newgate！’ and there was a loud shout and general
rush towards the door。
But Hugh and Dennis stood with their backs against it； and
kept them back； until the clamour had so far subsided that their
voices could be heard； when they called to them together that to
go now； in broad day； would be madness； and that if they waited
until night and arranged a plan of attack； they might release； not
only their own companions； but all the prisoners； and burn down
the jail。
‘Not that jail alone；’ cried Hugh； ‘but every jail in London。 They
shall have no place to put their prisoners in。 We’ll burn them all
down； make bonfires of them every one！ Here！’ he cried； catching
at the hangman’s hand。 ‘Let all who’re men here； join with us。
Shake hands upon it。 Barnaby out of jail； and not a jail left
standing！ Who joins？’
Every man there。 And they swore a great oath to release their
friends from Newgate next night； to force the doors and burn the
jail； or perish in the fire themselves。
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Chapter 61
n that same night—events so crowd upon each other in
convulsed and distracted times； that more than the
O
stirring incidents of a whole life often become compressed
into the compass of four…and…twenty hours—on that same night；
Mr Haredale； having strongly bound his prisoner； with the
assistance of the sexton； and forced him to mount his horse；
conducted him to Chigwell； bent upon procuring a conveyance to
London from that place； and carrying him at once before a justice。
The disturbed state of the town would be； he knew； a sufficient
reason for demanding the murderer’s committal to prison before
daybreak； as no man could answer for the security of any of the
watch…houses or ordinary places of detention； and to convey a
prisoner through the streets when the mob were again abroad；
would not only be a task of great danger and hazard； but would be
to challenge an attempt at rescue。 Directing the sexton to lead the
horse； he walked close by the murderer’s side； and in this order
they reached the village about the middle of the night。
The people were all awake and up； for they were fearful of
being burnt in their beds； and sought to comfort and assure each
other by watching in company。 A few of the stoutest…hearted were
armed and gathered in a body on the green。 To these； who knew
him well； Mr Haredale addressed himself； briefly narrating what
had happened； and beseeching them to aid in conveying the
criminal to London before the dawn of day。
But not a man among them dared to help him by so much as
the motion of a finger。 The rioters； in their passage through the
village； had menaced with their fiercest vengeance； any person
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who should aid in extinguishing the fire； or render the least
assistance to him； or any Catholic whomsoever。 Their threats
extended to their lives and all they possessed。 They were
assembled for their own protection； and could not endanger
themselves by lending any aid to him。 This they told him； not
without hesitation and regret； as they kept aloof in the moonlight
and glanced fearfully at the ghostly rider； who； with his head
drooping on his breast and his hat slouched down upon his brow；
neither moved nor spoke。
Finding it impossible to persuade them； and indeed hardly
knowing how to do so after what they had seen of the fury of the
crowd； Mr Haredale besought them that at least they would leave
him free to act for himself； and would suffer him to take the only
chaise and pair of horses that the place afforded。 This was not
acceded to without some difficulty； but in the end they told him to
do what he would； and go away from them in heaven’s name。
Leaving the sexton at the horse’s bridle； he drew out the chaise
with his own hands； and would have harnessed the horses； but
that the post…boy of the village—a soft…hearted； good…for…nothing；
vagabond kind of fellow—was moved by his earnestness and
passion； and； throwing down a pitchfork with which he was
armed； swore that the rioters might cut him into mincemeat if they
liked； but he would not stand by and see an honest gentleman who
had done no wrong； reduced to such extremity； without doing
what he could to help him。 Mr Haredale shook him warmly by the
hand； and thanked him from his heart。 In five minutes’ time the
chaise was ready； and this good scapegrace in his saddle。 The
murderer was put inside； the blinds were drawn up； the sexton
took his seat upon the bar； Mr Haredale mounted his horse and
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rode close beside the door； and so they started in the dead of
night； and in profound silence； for London。
The consternation was so extreme that even the horses which
had escaped the flames at the Warren； could find no friends to
shelter them。 They passed them on the road； browsing on the
stunted grass； and the driver told them； that the poor beasts had
wandered to the village first； but had been driven away； lest they
should bring the vengeance of the crowd on any of the inhabitants。
Nor was this feeling confined to such small places； where the
people were timid； ignorant； and unprotected。 When they came
near London they met； in the grey light of morning