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prisoners； is uncertain； most probably he did。 At all events his
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being summoned to that work； diverted him； for the time； from
these painful reflections； and gave his thoughts a more congenial
occupation。
They were not all three carried off together； but in two parties；
Barnaby and his father； going by one road in the centre of a body
of foot； and Hugh； fast bound upon a horse； and strongly guarded
by a troop of cavalry； being taken by another。
They had no opportunity for the least communication； in the
short interval which preceded their departure； being kept strictly
apart。 Hugh only observed that Barnaby walked with a drooping
head among his guard； and； without raising his eyes； that he tried
to wave his fettered hand when he passed。 For himself； he buoyed
up his courage as he rode along； with the assurance that the mob
would force his jail wherever it might be； and set him at liberty。
But when they got into London； and more especially into Fleet
Market； lately the stronghold of the rioters； where the military
were rooting out the last remnant of the crowd； he saw that this
hope was gone； and felt that he was riding to his death。
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Chapter 70
r Dennis having despatched this piece of business
without any personal hurt or inconvenience； and having
M
now retired into the tranquil respectability of private
life； resolved to solace himself with half an hour or so of female
society。 With this amiable purpose in his mind； he bent his steps
towards the house where Dolly and Miss Haredale were still
confined； and whither Miss Miggs had also been removed by order
of Mr Simon Tappertit。
As he walked along the streets with his leather gloves clasped
behind him； and his face indicative of cheerful thought and
pleasant calculation； Mr Dennis might have been likened unto a
farmer ruminating among his crops； and enjoying by anticipation
the bountiful gifts of Providence。 Look where he would； some
heap of ruins afforded him rich promise of a working off； the
whole town appeared to have been ploughed and sown； and
nurtured by most genial weather； and a goodly harvest was at
hand。
Having taken up arms and resorted to deeds of violence； with
the great main object of preserving the Old Bailey in all its purity；
and the gallows in all its pristine usefulness and moral grandeur； it
would perhaps be going too far to assert that Mr Dennis had ever
distinctly contemplated and foreseen this happy state of things。 He
rather looked upon it as one of those beautiful dispensations
which are inscrutably brought about for the behoof and advantage
of good men。 He felt； as it were； personally referred to； in this
prosperous ripening for the gibbet； and had never considered
himself so much the pet and favourite child of Destiny； or loved
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that lady so well or with such a calm and virtuous reliance； in all
his life。
As to being taken up； himself； for a rioter； and punished with
the rest； Mr Dennis dismissed that possibility from his thoughts as
an idle chimera； arguing that the line of conduct he had adopted at
Newgate； and the service he had rendered that day； would be
more than a set…off against any evidence which might identify him
as a member of the crowd。 That any charge of companionship
which might be made against him by those who were themselves
in danger； would certainly go for nought。 And that if any trivial
indiscretion on his part should unluckily come out； the uncommon
usefulness of his office； at present； and the great demand for the
exercise of its functions； would certainly cause it to be winked at；
and passed over。 In a word； he had played his cards throughout；
with great care； had changed sides at the very nick of time； had
delivered up two of the most notorious rioters； and a distinguished
felon to boot； and was quite at his ease。
Saving—for there is a reservation； and even Mr Dennis was not
perfectly happy—saving for one circumstance； to wit； the forcible
detention of Dolly and Miss Haredale； in a house almost adjoining
his own。 This was a stumbling…block； for if they were discovered
and released； they could； by the testimony they had it in their
power to give； place him in a situation of great jeopardy； and to set
them at liberty； first extorting from them an oath of secrecy and
silence； was a thing not to be thought of。 It was more； perhaps；
with an eye to the danger which lurked in this quarter； than from
his abstract love of conversation with the sex； that the hangman；
quickening his steps； now hastened into their society； cursing the
amorous natures of Hugh and Mr Tappertit with great heartiness；
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at every step he took。
When be entered the miserable room in which they were
confined； Dolly and Miss Haredale withdrew in silence to the
remotest corner。 But Miss Miggs； who was particularly tender of
her reputation； immediately fell upon her knees and began to
scream very loud； crying； ‘What will become of me！’—‘Where is my
Simmuns！’—‘Have mercy； good gentlemen； on my sex’s
weaknesses！’—with other doleful lamentations of that nature；
which she delivered with great propriety and decorum。
‘Miss； miss；’ whispered Dennis； beckoning to her with his