The three worthies turned their faces towards The Boot, with theintention of passing the night in that place of rendezvous, and ofseeking the repose they so much needed in the shelter of their oldden; for now that the mischief and destruction they had purposedwere achieved, and their prisoners were safely bestowed for thenight, they began to be conscious of exhaustion, and to feel thewasting effects of the madness which had led to such deplorableresults.
Notwithstanding the lassitude and fatigue which oppressed him now,in common with his two companions, and indeed with all who had taken an active share in that night"s work, Hugh"s boisterousmerriment broke out afresh whenever he looked at Simon Tappertit,and vented itself--much to that gentleman"s indignation--in suchshouts of laughter as bade fair to bring the watch upon them, andinvolve them in a skirmish, to which in their present worn-outcondition they might prove by no means equal. Even Mr Dennis, whowas not at all particular on the score of gravity or dignity, andwho had a great relish for his young friend"s eccentric humours,took occasion to remonstrate with him on this imprudent behaviour,which he held to be a species of suicide, tantamount to a man"sworking himself off without being overtaken by the law, than whichhe could imagine nothing more ridiculous or impertinent.
Not abating one jot of his noisy mirth for these remonstrances,Hugh reeled along between them, having an arm of each, until theyhove in sight of The Boot, and were within a field or two of thatconvenient tavern. He happened by great good luck to have roaredand shouted himself into silence by this time. They wereproceeding onward without noise, when a scout who had been creepingabout the ditches all night, to warn any stragglers fromencroaching further on what was now such dangerous ground, peepedcautiously from his hiding-place, and called to them to stop.
"Stop! and why?" said Hugh.
Because (the scout replied) the house was filled with constablesand soldiers; having been surprised that afternoon. The inmateshad fled or been taken into custody, he could not say which. Hehad prevented a great many people from approaching nearer, and hebelieved they had gone to the markets and such places to pass thenight. He had seen the distant fires, but they were all out now.
He had heard the people who passed and repassed, speaking of themtoo, and could report that the prevailing opinion was one ofapprehension and dismay. He had not heard a word of Barnaby-didn"teven know his name--but it had been said in his hearing thatsome man had been taken and carried off to Newgate. Whether thiswas true or false, he could not affirm.
The three took counsel together, on hearing this, and debated whatit might be best to do. Hugh, deeming it possible that Barnaby wasin the hands of the soldiers, and at that moment under detention atThe Boot, was for advancing stealthily, and firing the house; buthis companions, who objected to such rash measures unless they hada crowd at their backs, represented that if Barnaby were taken hehad assuredly been removed to a stronger prison; they would neverhave dreamed of keeping him all night in a place so weak and open to attack. Yielding to this reasoning, and to their persuasions,Hugh consented to turn back and to repair to Fleet Market; forwhich place, it seemed, a few of their boldest associates hadshaped their course, on receiving the same intelligence.
Feeling their strength recruited and their spirits roused, now thatthere was a new necessity for action, they hurried away, quiteforgetful of the fatigue under which they had been sinking but afew minutes before; and soon arrived at their new place ofdestination.