The World's Greatest Books — Volume 03 — Fiction — John Shaqi
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 03 — Fiction
General
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 03 — Fiction
Fiction
"His mother!" growled Mr. Dennis, with a strong oath, and in tones of
deep disgust. "And have I combined myself with this here section, and
turned out on this here memorable day, to hear men talk about their
mothers?"
"Barnaby's right," cried Hugh, with a grin, "and I say it. Lookee, bold
lad, if she's not here to see it's because I've provided for her, and
sent half-a-dozen gentlemen, every one of 'em with a blue flag, to take
her to a grand house all hung round with gold and silver banners, where
she'll wait till you come and want for nothing. And we'll get money
for her. Money, cocked hats, and gold lace will all belong to us if we
are true to that noble gentleman, if we carry our flags and keep 'em
safe. That's all we've got to do.
"Don't you see, man," Hugh whispered to Dennis, "that the lad's a
natural, and can be got to do anything if you take him the right way?
He's worth a dozen men in earnest, as you'd find if you tried a fall
with him. You'll soon see whether he's of use or not."
Mr. Dennis received this explanation with many nods and winks, and
softened his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment.
Hugh was right. It was Barnaby who stood his ground, and grasped his
pole more firmly when the Guards came out to clear the mob away from
Westminster.
One soldier came spurring on, cutting at the hands of those who would
have forced his charger back, and still Barnaby, without retreating an
inch, waited for his coming. Some called to him to fly, when the pole
swept 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 and closing so
quickly that there was no clue to the course they had taken.
_III.--The Storming of Newgate_
For several days London was in the hands of the rioters. Catholic
chapels were burned, the private residences of Catholics were sacked.
From the moment of the first outbreak at Westminster every symptom of
order vanished. Fifty resolute men might have turned the rioters; a
single company of soldiers could have scattered them like dust; but no
man interposed, no authority restrained them.
But Barnaby, bold Barnaby, had been taken. Left behind at the resort of
the rioters by Hugh, who led a body of men to Chigwell, he had been
captured by the soldiers, a proclamation of the Privy Council having at
last encouraged the magistrates to set the military in motion for the
arrest of certain ringleaders.
He was placed in Newgate and heavily ironed, and presently Grip, with
drooping head and plumes rough and tumbled, was thrust into his cell.
Another man was also taken and placed in Newgate on that day, and
presently he and Barnaby stood staring at each other, face to face.
Suddenly Barnaby laid hands upon him, and cried, "Ah, I know! You are
the robber!"
The other struggled with him silently, but finding the young man too
strong for him, raised his eyes and said, "I am your father."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account