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firmly yet； kept his eye fixed upon the nearest soldier—nodding
his head meanwhile； as Hugh； with a scowling visage； whispered
in his ear。
The soldier came spurring on； making his horse rear as the
people pressed about him； cutting at the hands of those who would
have grasped his rein and forced his charger back； and waving to
his comrades to follow—and still Barnaby； without retreating an
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inch； waited for his coming。 Some called to him to fly； and some
were in the very act of closing round him； to prevent his being
taken； when the pole swept into the air above the people’s heads；
and the man’s saddle was empty in an instant。
Then； he and Hugh turned and fled； the crowd opening to let
them pass； and closing up again so quickly that there was no clue
to the course they had taken。 Panting for breath； hot； dusty； and
exhausted with fatigue； they reached the riverside in safety； and
getting into a boat with all despatch were soon out of any
immediate danger。
As they glided down the river； they plainly heard the people
cheering； and supposing they might have forced the soldiers to
retreat； lay upon their oars for a few minutes； uncertain whether
to return or not。 But the crowd passing along Westminster Bridge；
soon assured them that the populace were dispersing； and Hugh
rightly guessed from this； that they had cheered the magistrate for
offering to dismiss the military on condition of their immediate
departure to their several homes； and that he and Barnaby were
better where they were。 He advised； therefore； that they should
proceed to Blackfriars； and； going ashore at the bridge； make the
best of their way to The Boot； where there was not only good
entertainment and safe lodging； but where they would certainly be
joined by many of their late companions。 Barnaby assenting； they
decided on this course of action； and pulled for Blackfriars
accordingly。
They landed at a critical time； and fortunately for themselves at
the right moment。 For； coming into Fleet Street； they found it in
an unusual stir； and inquiring the cause； were told that a body of
Horse Guards had just galloped past； and that they were escorting
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some rioters whom they had made prisoners； to Newgate for
safety。 Not at all ill…pleased to have so narrowly escaped the
cavalcade； they lost no more time in asking questions； but hurried
to The Boot with as much speed as Hugh considered it prudent to
make； without appearing singular or attracting an inconvenient
share of public notice。
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Chapter 50
hey were among the first to reach the tavern； but they had
not been there many minutes； when several groups of men
T
who had formed part of the crowd； came straggling in。
Among them were Simon Tappertit and Mr Dennis； both of whom；
but especially the latter； greeted Barnaby with the utmost warmth；
and paid him many compliments on the prowess he had shown。
‘Which；’ said Dennis； with an oath； as he rested his bludgeon in
a corner with his hat upon it； and took his seat at the same table
with them； ‘it does me good to think of。 There was a opportunity！
But it led to nothing。 For my part； I don’t know what would。
There’s no spirit among the people in these here times。 Bring
something to eat and drink here。 I’m disgusted with humanity。’
‘On what account？’ asked Mr Tappertit； who had been
quenching his fiery face in a half…gallon can。 ‘Don’t you consider
this a good beginning； mister？’
‘Give me security that it an’t a ending；’ rejoined the hangman。
‘When that soldier went down； we might have made London ours；
but no；—we stand； and gape； and look on—the justice （I wish he
had had a bullet in each eye； as he would have had； if we’d gone to
work my way） says； “My lads； if you’ll give me your word to
disperse； I’ll order off the military；” our people sets up a hurrah；
throws up the game with the winning cards in their hands； and
skulks away like a pack of tame curs as they are。 Ah；’ said the
hangman； in a tone of deep disgust； ‘it makes me blush for my
feller creeturs。 I wish I had been born a ox； I do！’
‘You’d have been quite as agreeable a character if you had
been； I think；’ returned Simon Tappertit； going out in a lofty
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manner。
‘Don’t be too sure of that；’ rejoined the hangman； calling after
him； ‘if I was a horned animal at the present moment； with the
smallest grain of sense； I’d toss every man in this company；
excepting them two；’ meaning Hugh and Barnaby； ‘for his manner
of conducting himself this day。’
With which mournful review of their proceedings； Mr Dennis
sought consolation in cold boiled beef and beer； but without at all
relaxing the grim and dissatisfied expression of his face； the gloom
of which was rather deepened than dissipated by their grateful
influence。
The company who were thus libelled might have retaliated by
strong words； if not by blows； but they were dispirited and worn
out。 The greater part of them had fasted since morning； all had
suffered extremely from the excessive heat； and between the day’s
shouting； exertion； and excitement； many had quite lost their
voices； and so much of their strength that they could hardly stand。
Then they were uncertain what to do next； fearful of the
consequences of what they had done already； and sensible that
after all they had carried no point； but had indeed left matters
worse than they had found them。 Of those who had come to The
Boot； many dropped off within an hour； such of them as were
really honest and sincere； never； after the morning’s experience； to
return； or to hold any communication with their late companions。
Others remained but to refresh themselves； and then went home
desponding； others who had theretofore been regular in their
attendance； avoided the place altogether。 The half…dozen prisoners
whom the Guards had taken； were magnified by report into half…a…
hundred at least； and their friends； being faint and sober； so
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slackened in their energy； and so drooped beneath these
dispiriting influences； that by eight o’clock in the evening； Dennis；
Hugh； and Barnaby； were left alone。 Even they were fast asleep
upon the benches； when Gashford’s entrance roused them。
‘Oh！ you are here then？’ said the Secretary。 ‘Dear me！’
‘Why； where should we be； Muster Gashford！’ Dennis rejoined
as he rose into a sitting posture。
‘Oh nowhere； nowhere；’ he returned with excessive mildness。
‘The streets are filled with blue cockades。 I rather thought you
might have been among them。 I am glad you are not。’
‘You have orders for us； master； then？’ said Hugh。
‘Oh dear； no。 Not I。 No orders； my good fellow。 What orders
should I have？ You are not in my service。’
‘Muster Gashford；’ remonstrated