barnaby rudge(巴纳比·卢杰)-第116章
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triumph； it was not this dread invasion of the serenity and peace of
night； that drove the man back as though a thunderbolt had struck
him。 It was the Bell。 If the ghastliest shape the human mind has
ever pictured in its wildest dreams had risen up before him； he
could not have staggered backward from its touch； as he did from
the first sound of that loud iron voice。 With eyes that started from
his head； his limbs convulsed； his face most horrible to see； he
raised one arm high up into the air； and holding something
visionary back and down； with his other hand； drove at it as
though he held a knife and stabbed it to the heart。 He clutched his
hair； and stopped his ears； and travelled madly round and round；
then gave a frightful cry； and with it rushed away： still； still； the
Bell tolled on and seemed to follow him—louder and louder； hotter
and hotter yet。 The glare grew brighter； the roar of voices deeper；
the crash of heavy bodies falling； shook the air； bright streams of
sparks rose up into the sky； but louder than them all—rising faster
far； to Heaven—a million times more fierce and furious—pouring
forth dreadful secrets after its long silence—speaking the language
of the dead—the Bell—the Bell！
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What hunt of spectres could surpass that dread pursuit and
flight！ Had there been a legion of them on his track； he could have
better borne it。 They would have had a beginning and an end； but
here all space was full。 The one pursuing voice was everywhere： it
sounded in the earth； the air； shook the long grass； and howled
among the trembling trees。 The echoes caught it up； the owls
hooted as it flew upon the breeze； the nightingale was silent and
hid herself among the thickest boughs： it seemed to goad and urge
the angry fire； and lash it into madness； everything was steeped in
one prevailing red； the glow was everywhere； nature was
drenched in blood： still the remorseless crying of that awful
voice—the Bell； the Bell！
It ceased； but not in his ears。 The knell was at his heart。 No
work of man had ever voice like that which sounded there； and
warned him that it cried unceasingly to Heaven。 Who could hear
that hell； and not know what it said！ There was murder in its every
note—cruel； relentless； savage murder—the murder of a confiding
man； by one who held his every trust。 Its ringing summoned
phantoms from their graves。 What face was that； in which a
friendly smile changed to a look of half incredulous horror； which
stiffened for a moment into one of pain； then changed again into
an imploring glance at Heaven； and so fell idly down with
upturned eyes； like the dead stags’ he had often peeped at when a
little child： shrinking and shuddering—there was a dreadful thing
to think of now！—and clinging to an apron as he looked！ He sank
upon the ground； and grovelling down as if he would dig himself a
place to hide in； covered his face and ears： but no； no； no；—a
hundred walls and roofs of brass would not shut out that bell； for
in it spoke the wrathful voice of God； and from that voice； the
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whole wide universe could not afford a refuge！
While he rushed up and down； not knowing where to turn； and
while he lay crouching there； the work went briskly on indeed。
When they left the Maypole； the rioters formed into a solid body；
and advanced at a quick pace towards the Warren。 Rumour of
their approach having gone before； they found the garden…doors
fast closed； the windows made secure； and the house profoundly
dark： not a light being visible in any portion of the building。 After
some fruitless ringing at the bells； and beating at the iron gates；
they drew off a few paces to reconnoitre； and confer upon the
course it would be best to take。
Very little conference was needed； when all were bent upon one
desperate purpose； infuriated with liquor； and flushed with
successful riot。 The word being given to surround the house； some
climbed the gates； or dropped into the shallow trench and scaled
the garden wall； while others pulled down the solid iron fence； and
while they made a breach to enter by； made deadly weapons of the
bars。 The house being completely encircled； a small number of
men were despatched to break open a tool…shed in the garden； and
during their absence on this errand； the remainder contented
themselves with knocking violently at the doors； and calling to
those within； to come down and open them on peril of their lives。
No answer being returned to this repeated summons； and the
detachment who had been sent away； coming back with an
accession of pickaxes； spades； and hoes； they；—together with
those who had such arms already； or carried （as many did） axes；
poles； and crowbars；—struggled into the foremost rank； ready to
beset the doors and windows。 They had not at this time more than
a dozen lighted torches among them； but when these preparations
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were completed； flaming links were distributed and passed from
hand to hand with such rapidity； that； in a minute’s time； at least
two…thirds of the whole roaring mass bore； each man in his hand； a
blazing brand。 Whirling these about their heads they raised a loud
shout； and fell to work upon the doors and windows。
Amidst the clattering of heavy blows； the rattling of broken
glass； the cries and execrations of the mob； and all the din and
turmoil of the scene； Hugh and his friends kept together at the
turret…door where Mr Haredale had last admitted him and old
John Willet； and spent their united force on that。 It was a strong
old oaken door； guarded by good bolts and a heavy bar； but it soon
went crashing in upon the narrow stairs behind； and made； as it
were； a platform to facilitate their tearing up into the rooms above。
Almost at the same moment； a dozen other points were forced； and
at every one the crowd poured in like water。
A few armed servant…men were posted in the hall； and when the
rioters forced an entrance there； they fired some half…a…dozen
shots。 But these taking no effect； and the concourse coming on like
an army of devils； they only thought of consulting their own safety；
and retreated； echoing their assailants’ cries； and hoping in the
confusion to be taken for rioters themselves； in which stratagem
they succeeded； with the exception of one old man who was never
heard of again； and was said to have had his brains beaten out
with an iron bar （one of his fellows reported that he had seen the
old man fall）； and to have been afterwards burnt in the flames。
The besiegers being now in complete possession of the house；
spread themselves over it from garret to cellar； and plied their
demon labours fiercely。 While some small parties kindled bonfires
underneath the windows； others broke up the furniture and cast
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the fragments down to feed the flames below； where the apertures
in the wall （windows no longer） were large enough； they threw out
tables； chests of drawers； beds； mirrors； pictures； and flung them
whole into the fire； while every fresh addition to the blazing
masses was received with shouts； and howls； and yells； which
added new and dismal terrors to the conflagration。 Those who had
axes and had spent their fury on the movables； chopped and tore
down the doors and window frames； broke up the flooring； hewed
away the rafters； and buried men who lingered in the upper
rooms； in heaps of ruins。 Some searched the drawers； the chests；
the boxes； writing…desks； and closets； for jewels； plate； and money；
while others； less mindful of gain and more mad for destruction；
cast their whole contents into the courtyard without examination；
and called to those below； to heap them on the blaze。 Men who
had been into the cellars； and had staved the casks； rushed to and
fro stark mad； setting fire to all they saw—often to the dresses of
their own friends—and kindling the building in so many parts that
some had no time for escape； and were seen； with drooping hands
and blackened faces； hanging senseless on the window…sills to
which they had crawled； until they were sucked and drawn into
the burning gulf。 The more the fire crackled and raged； the wilder
and more cruel the men grew； as though moving in that element
they became fiends； and changed their earthly nature for the
qualities that give delight in hell。
The burning pile； revealing rooms and passages red hot；
through gaps made in the crumbling walls； the tributary fires that
licked the outer bricks and stones； with their long forked tongues；
and ran up to meet the glowing mass within； the shining of the
flames upon the villains who looked on and fed them； the roaring
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of the angry blaze； so bright and high that it seemed in its rapacity
