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！
As he looked； he rose； and leaning against the door…post； gazed up
at the bright blue sky； smiling even on that dreary home of crime。
He seemed； for a moment； to remember lying on his back in some
sweet…scented place； and gazing at it through moving branches；
long ago。
His attention was suddenly attracted by a clanking sound—he
knew what it was； for he had startled himself by making the same
noise in walking to the door。 Presently a voice began to sing； and
he saw the shadow of a figure on the pavement。 It stopped—was
silent all at once； as though the person for a moment had forgotten
where he was； but soon remembered—and so； with the same
clanking noise； the shadow disappeared。
He walked out into the court and paced it to and fro； startling
the echoes； as he went； with the harsh jangling of his fetters。 There
was a door near his； which； like his； stood ajar。
He had not taken half…a…dozen turns up and down the yard；
when； standing still to observe this door； he heard the clanking
sound again。 A face looked out of the grated window—he saw it
very dimly； for the cell was dark and the bars were heavy—and
directly afterwards； a man appeared； and came towards him。
For the sense of loneliness he had； he might have been in jail a
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 668…
Barnaby Rudge 669
year。 Made eager by the hope of companionship； he quickened his
pace； and hastened to meet the man half way—
What was this！ His son！
They stood face to face； staring at each other。 He shrinking and
cowed； despite himself； Barnaby struggling with his imperfect
memory； and wondering where he had seen that face before。 He
was not uncertain long； for suddenly he laid hands upon him； and
striving to bear him to the ground； cried：
‘Ah！ I know！ You are the robber！’
He said nothing in reply at first； but held down his head； and
struggled with him silently。 Finding the younger man too strong
for him； he raised his face； looked close into his eyes； and said；
‘I am your father。’
God knows what magic the name had for his ears； but Barnaby
released his hold； fell back； and looked at him aghast。 Suddenly he
sprung towards him； put his arms about his neck； and pressed his
head against his cheek。
Yes； yes； he was； he was sure he was。 But where had he been so
long； and why had he left his mother by herself； or worse than by
herself； with her poor foolish boy？ And had she really been as
happy as they said？ And where was she？ Was she near there？ She
was not happy now； and he in jail？ Ah； no。
Not a word was said in answer； but Grip croaked loudly； and
hopped about them； round and round； as if enclosing them in a
magic circle； and invoking all the powers of mischief。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 669…
Barnaby Rudge 670
Chapter 63
uring the whole of this day； every regiment in or near the
metropolis was on duty in one or other part of the town；
D
and the regulars and militia； in obedience to the orders
which were sent to every barrack and station within twenty…four
hours’ journey； began to pour in by all the roads。 But the
disturbance had attained to such a formidable height； and the
rioters had grown； with impunity； to be so audacious； that the
sight of this great force； continually augmented by new arrivals；
instead of operating as a check； stimulated them to outrages of
greater hardihood than any they had yet committed； and helped to
kindle a flame in London； the like of which had never been beheld；
even in its ancient and rebellious times。
All yesterday； and on this day likewise； the commander…in…chief
endeavoured to arouse the magistrates to a sense of their duty；
and in particular the Lord Mayor； who was the faintest…hearted
and most timid of them all。 With this object； large bodies of the
soldiery were several times despatched to the Mansion House to
await his orders： but as he could； by no threats or persuasions； be
induced to give any； and as the men remained in the open street；
fruitlessly for any good purpose； and thrivingly for a very bad one；
these laudable attempts did harm rather than good。 For the
crowd； becoming speedily acquainted with the Lord Mayor’s
temper； did not fail to take advantage of it by boasting that even
the civil authorities were opposed to the Papists； and could not
find it in their hearts to molest those who were guilty of no other
offence。 These vaunts they took care to make within the hearing of
the soldiers； and they； being naturally loth to quarrel with the
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 670…
Barnaby Rudge 671
people； received their advances kindly enough： answering； when
they were asked if they desired to fire upon their countrymen； ‘No；
they would be damned if they did；’ and showing much honest
simplicity and good nature。 The feeling that the military were No…
Popery men； and were ripe for disobeying orders and joining the
mob； soon became very prevalent in consequence。 Rumours of
their disaffection； and of their leaning towards the popular cause；
spread from mouth to mouth with astonishing rapidity； and
whenever they were drawn up idly in the streets or squares； there
was sure to be a crowd about them； cheering and shaking hands；
and treating them with a great show of confidence and affection。
By this time； the crowd was everywhere； all concealment and
disguise were laid aside； and they pervaded the whole town。 If any
man among them wanted money； he had but to knock at the door
of a dwelling…house； or walk into a shop； and demand it in the
rioters name； and his demand was instantly complied with。 The
peaceable citizens being afraid to lay hands upon them； singly and
alone； it may