Chapter 50
They were among the first to reach the tavern, but they had not been
there many minutes, when several groups of men who had formed part of
the crowd, came straggling in. Among them were Simon Tappertit and Mr
Dennis; both of whom, but especially the latter, greeted Barnaby with
the utmost warmth, and paid him many compliments on the prowess he had
shown.
'Which,' said Dennis, with an oath, as he rested his bludgeon in a
corner with his hat upon it, and took his seat at the same table with
them, 'it does me good to think of. There was a opportunity! But it
led to nothing. For my part, I don't know what would. There's no spirit
among the people in these here times. Bring something to eat and drink
here. I'm disgusted with humanity.'
'On what account?' asked Mr Tappertit, who had been quenching his fiery
face in a half-gallon can. 'Don't you consider this a good beginning,
mister?'
'Give me security that it an't a ending,' rejoined the hangman. 'When
that soldier went down, we might have made London ours; but no;--we
stand, and gape, and look on--the justice (I wish he had had a bullet in
each eye, as he would have had, if we'd gone to work my way) says,
"My lads, if you'll give me your word to disperse, I'll order off the
military," our people sets up a hurrah, throws up the game with the
winning cards in their hands, and skulks away like a pack of tame curs
as they are.
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