And who were they? The alarm-bell rang--and it was pulled by no faint or
hesitating hands--for a long time; but not a soul was seen. Some of the
insurgents said that when it ceased, they heard the shrieks of women,
and saw some garments fluttering in the air, as a party of men bore away
no unresisting burdens. No one could say that this was true or false, in
such an uproar; but where was Hugh? Who among them had seen him, since
the forcing of the doors? The cry spread through the body. Where was
Hugh!
'Here!' he hoarsely cried, appearing from the darkness; out of breath,
and blackened with the smoke. 'We have done all we can; the fire is
burning itself out; and even the corners where it hasn't spread, are
nothing but heaps of ruins. Disperse, my lads, while the coast's
clear; get back by different ways; and meet as usual!' With that, he
disappeared again,--contrary to his wont, for he was always first to
advance, and last to go away,--leaving them to follow homewards as they
would.
It was not an easy task to draw off such a throng. If Bedlam gates had
been flung wide open, there would not have issued forth such maniacs as
the frenzy of that night had made.
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