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were ready； as it seemed； to tear them limb from limb。 Now a party
of a dozen men came darting through the yard into which the
murderer cast fearful glances from his darkened window；
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dragging a prisoner along the ground whose dress they had nearly
torn from his body in their mad eagerness to set him free； and who
was bleeding and senseless in their hands。 Now a score of
prisoners ran to and fro； who had lost themselves in the intricacies
of the prison； and were so bewildered with the noise and glare that
they knew not where to turn or what to do； and still cried out for
help； as loudly as before。 Anon some famished wretch whose theft
had been a loaf of bread； or scrap of butcher’s meat； came skulking
past； barefooted—going slowly away because that jail； his house；
was burning； not because he had any other； or had friends to meet；
or old haunts to revisit； or any liberty to gain； but liberty to starve
and die。 And then a knot of highwaymen went trooping by；
conducted by the friends they had among the crowd； who muffled
their fetters as they went along； with handkerchiefs and bands of
hay； and wrapped them in coats and cloaks； and gave them drink
from bottles； and held it to their lips； because of their handcuffs
which there was no time to remove。 All this； and Heaven knows
how much more； was done amidst a noise； a hurry； and
distraction； like nothing that we know of； even in our dreams；
which seemed for ever on the rise； and never to decrease for the
space of a single instant。
He was still looking down from his window upon these things；
when a band of men with torches； ladders； axes； and many kinds
of weapons； poured into the yard； and hammering at his door；
inquired if there were any prisoner within。 He left the window
when he saw them coming； and drew back into the remotest
corner of the cell； but although he returned them no answer； they
had a fancy that some one was inside； for they presently set
ladders against it； and began to tear away the bars at the
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casement； not only that； indeed； but with pickaxes to hew down
the very stones in the wall。
As soon as they had made a breach at the window； large enough
for the admission of a man’s head； one of them thrust in a torch
and looked all round the room。 He followed this man’s gaze until it
rested on himself； and heard him demand why he had not
answered； but made him no reply。
In the general surprise and wonder； they were used to this；
without saying anything more； they enlarged the breach until it
was large enough to admit the body of a man； and then came
dropping down upon the floor； one after another； until the cell was
full。 They caught him up among them； handed him to the window；
and those who stood upon the ladders passed him down upon the
pavement of the yard。 Then the rest came out； one after another；
and； bidding him fly； and lose no time； or the way would be choked
up； hurried away to rescue others。
It seemed not a minute’s work from first to last。 He staggered to
his feet； incredulous of what had happened； when the yard was
filled again； and a crowd rushed on； hurrying Barnaby among
them。 In another minute—not so much： another minute！ the same
instant； with no lapse or interval between！—he and his son were
being passed from hand to hand； through the dense crowd in the
street； and were glancing backward at a burning pile which some
one said was Newgate。
From the moment of their first entrance into the prison； the
crowd dispersed themselves about it； and swarmed into every
chink and crevice； as if they had a perfect acquaintance with its
innermost parts； and bore in their minds an exact plan of the
whole。 For this immediate knowledge of the place； they were； no
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doubt； in a great degree； indebted to the hangman； who stood in
the lobby； directing some to go this way； some that； and some the
other； and who materially assisted in bringing about the
wonderful rapidity with which the release of the prisoners was
effected。
But this functionary of the law reserved one important piece of
intelligence； and kept it snugly to himself。 When he had issued his
instructions relative to every other part of the building； and the
mob were dispersed from end to end； and busy at their work； he
took a bundle of keys from a kind of cupboard in the wall； and
going by a kind of passage near the chapel （it joined the governors
house； and was then on fire）； betook himself to the condemned
cells； which were a series of small； strong； dismal rooms； opening
on a low gallery； guarded； at the end at which he entered； by a
strong iron wicket； and at its opposite extremity by two doors and
a thick grate。 Having double locked the wicket； and assured
himself that the other entrances were well secured； he sat down on
a bench in the gallery； and sucked the head of his stick with the
utmost complacency； tranquillity； and contentment。
It would have been strange enough； a man’s enjoying himself in
this quiet manner； while the prison was burning； and such a
tumult was cleaving the air； though he had been outside the walls。
But here； in the very heart of the building； and moreover with the
prayers and cries of the four men under sentence sounding in his
ears； and their hands； stretched our through the gratings in their
cell…doors； clasped in frantic entreaty before his very eyes； it was
particularly remarkable。 Indeed； Mr Dennis appeared to think it
an uncommon circumstance； and to banter himself upon it； for he
thrust his hat on one side as some men do when they are in a
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waggish humour； sucked the head of his stick with a higher relish；
and smiled as though he would say； ‘Dennis； you’re a rum dog；
you’re a queer fellow； you’re capital company； Dennis； and quite a
character！’
He sat in this way for some minutes； while the four men in the
cells； who were certain that somebody had entered the gallery； but
could not see who； gave vent to such piteous entreaties as
wretches in their miserable condition may be supposed to have
been inspired with： urging； whoever it was； to set them at liberty；
for the love of Heaven； and protesting； with great fervour； and
truly enough； perhaps； for the time； that if they escaped； they
would amend their ways； and would never； never； never again do
wrong before God or man； but would lead penitent and sober lives；
and sorrowfully repent the crimes they had committed。 The
terrible energy with which they spoke； would have moved any
person； no matter how good or just （if any good or just person
could have strayed into that sad place that night）； to have set them
at liberty： and； while he would have left any other punishment to
its free course； to have saved them from this last dreadful and
repulsive penalty； which never turned a man inclined to evil； and
has hardened thousands who were half inclined to good。
Mr Dennis； who had been bred and nurtured in the good old
school； and had administered the good old la