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！
his spirits rose； and his confidence increased。 When he
remembered the great estimation in which his office was held； and
the constant demand for his services； when he bethought himself；
how the Statute Book regarded him as a kind of Universal
Medicine applicable to men； women； and children； of every age
and variety of criminal constitution； and how high he stood； in his
official capacity； in the favour of the Crown； and both Houses of
Parliament； the Mint； the Bank of England； and the Judges of the
land； when he recollected that whatever Ministry was in or out； he
remained their peculiar pet and panacea； and that for his sake
England stood single and conspicuous among the civilised nations
of the earth： when he called these things to mind and dwelt upon
them； he felt certain that the national gratitude must relieve him
from the consequences of his late proceedings； and would
certainly restore him to his old place in the happy social system。
With these crumbs； or as one may say； with these whole loaves
of comfort to regale upon； Mr Dennis took his place among the
escort that awaited him； and repaired to jail with a manly
indifference。 Arriving at Newgate； where some of the ruined cells
had been hastily fitted up for the safe keeping of rioters； he was
warmly received by the turnkeys； as an unusual and interesting
case； which agreeably relieved their monotonous duties。 In this
spirit； he was fettered with great care； and conveyed into the
interior of the prison。
‘Brother；’ cried the hangman； as； following an officer； he
traversed under these novel circumstances the remains of
passages with which he was well acquainted； ‘am I going to be
along with anybody？’
‘If you’d have left more walls standing； you’d have been alone；’
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 794…
Barnaby Rudge 795
was the reply。 ‘As it is； we’re cramped for room； and you’ll have
company。’
‘Well；’ returned Dennis； ‘I don’t object to company； brother。 I
rather like company。 I was formed for society； I was。’
‘That’s rather a pity； an’t it？’ said the man。
‘No；’ answered Dennis； ‘I’m not aware that it is。 Why should it
be a pity； brother？’
‘Oh！ I don’t know；’ said the man carelessly。 ‘I thought that was
what you meant。 Being formed for society； and being cut off in
your flower； you know—’
‘I say；’ interposed the other quickly； ‘what are you talking of？
Don’t。 Who’s a…going to be cut off in their flowers？’
‘Oh； nobody particular。 I thought you was； perhaps；’ said the
man。
Mr Dennis wiped his face； which had suddenly grown very hot；
and remarking in a tremulous voice to his conductor that he had
always been fond of his joke； followed him in silence until he
stopped at a door。
‘This is my quarters； is it？’ he asked facetiously。
‘This is the shop； sir；’ replied his friend。
He was walking in； but not with the best possible grace； when
he suddenly stopped； and started back。
‘Halloa！’ said the officer。 ‘You’re nervous。’
‘Nervous！’ whispered Dennis in great alarm。 ‘Well I may be。
Shut the door。’
‘I will； when you’re in；’ returned the man。
‘But I can’t go in there；’ whispered Dennis。 ‘I can’t be shut up
with that man。 Do you want me to be throttled； brother？’
The officer seemed to entertain no particular desire on the
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 795…
Barnaby Rudge 796
subject one way or other； but briefly remarking that he had his
orders； and intended to obey them； pushed him in； turned the key；
and retired。
Dennis stood trembling with his back against the door； and
involuntarily raising his arm to defend himself； stared at a man；
the only other tenant of the cell； who lay； stretched at his fall
length； upon a stone bench； and who paused in his deep breathing
as if he were about to wake。 But he rolled over on one side； let his
arm fall negligently down； drew a long sigh； and murmuring
indistinctly； fell fast asleep again。
Relieved in some degree by this； the hangman took his eyes for
an instant from the slumbering figure； and glanced round the cell
in search of some ‘vantage…ground or weapon of defence。 There
was nothing moveable within it； but a clumsy table which could
not be displaced without noise； and a heavy chair。 Stealing on
tiptoe towards this latter piece of furniture； he retired with it into
the remotest corner； and intrenching himself behind it； watched
the enemy with the utmost vigilance and caution。
The sleeping man was Hugh； and perhaps it was not unnatural
for Dennis to feel in a state of very uncomfortable suspense； and to
wish with his whole soul that he might never wake again。 Tired of
standing； he crouched down in his corner after some time； and
rested on the cold pavement； but although Hugh’s breathing still
proclaimed that he was sleeping soundly； he could not trust him
out of his sight for an instant。 He was so afraid of him； and of some
sudden onslaught； that he was not content to see his closed eyes
through the chair…back； but every now and then； rose stealthily to
his feet； and peered at him with outstretched neck； to assure
himself that he really was still asleep； and was not about to spring
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
… Page 796…
Barnaby Rudge 797
upon him when he was off his guard。
He slept so long and so soundly； that Mr Dennis began to think
he might sleep on until the turnkey visited them。 He was
congratulating himself upon these promising appearances； and
blessing his stars with much fervour； when one or two unpleasant
symptoms manifested themselves： such as another motion