The gentleman, he said, had avowed in so many words that he wasready for working off; such being the case, he considered it theirduty, as a civilised and enlightened crowd, to work him off. Itwas not often, he observed, that they had it in their power toaccommodate themselves to the wishes of those from whom they hadthe misfortune to differ. Having now found an individual whoexpressed a desire which they could reasonably indulge (and forhimself he was free to confess that in his opinion that desire didhonour to his feelings), he hoped they would decide to accede tohis proposition before going any further. It was an experimentwhich, skilfully and dexterously performed, would be over in fiveminutes, with great comfort and satisfaction to all parties; andthough it did not become him (Mr Dennis) to speak well of himselfhe trusted he might be allowed to say that he had practicalknowledge of the subject, and, being naturally of an obliging andfriendly disposition, would work the gentleman off with a deal ofpleasure.
These remarks, which were addressed in the midst of a frightful dinand turmoil to those immediately about him, were received withgreat favour; not so much, perhaps, because of the hangman"seloquence, as on account of the locksmith"s obstinacy. Gabriel wasin imminent peril, and he knew it; but he preserved a steadysilence; and would have done so, if they had been debating whetherthey should roast him at a slow fire.
As the hangman spoke, there was some stir and confusion on theladder; and directly he was silent--so immediately upon his holdinghis peace, that the crowd below had no time to learn what he hadbeen saying, or to shout in response--some one at the window cried:
"He has a grey head. He is an old man: Don"t hurt him!"
The locksmith turned, with a start, towards the place from whichthe words had come, and looked hurriedly at the people who werehanging on the ladder and clinging to each other.
"Pay no respect to my grey hair, young man," he said, answering thevoice and not any one he saw. "I don"t ask it. My heart is greenenough to scorn and despise every man among you, band of robbersthat you are!"
This incautious speech by no means tended to appease the ferocityof the crowd. They cried again to have him brought out; and itwould have gone hard with the honest locksmith, but that Hughreminded them, in answer, that they wanted his services, and musthave them.
"So, tell him what we want," he said to Simon Tappertit, "andquickly. And open your ears, master, if you would ever use themafter to-night."
Gabriel folded his arms, which were now at liberty, and eyed hisold "prentice in silence.
"Lookye, Varden," said Sim, "we"re bound for Newgate."
"I know you are," returned the locksmith. "You never said a truerword than that."
"To burn it down, I mean," said Simon, "and force the gates, andset the prisoners at liberty. You helped to make the lock of thegreat door."
"I did," said the locksmith. "You owe me no thanks for that--asyou"ll find before long."
"Maybe," returned his journeyman, "but you must show us how toforce it."
"Must I!"
"Yes; for you know, and I don"t. You must come along with us, andpick it with your own hands."
"When I do," said the locksmith quietly, "my hands shall drop offat the wrists, and you shall wear them, Simon Tappertit, on yourshoulders for epaulettes."