The music and the banners denoted the arrival of the leaders of the people. They mounted the craggy ascent11 that led to the summit of the Druid’s Altar, and there, surrounded by his companions, amid the enthusiastic shouts of the multitude, Walter Gerard came forth12 to address a TORCH-LIGHT MEETING.
His tall form seemed colossal13 in the uncertain and flickering14 light, his rich and powerful voice reached almost to the utmost limit of his vast audience, now still with expectation and silent with excitement. Their fixed15 and eager glance, the mouth compressed with fierce resolution or distended16 by novel sympathy, as they listened to the exposition of their wrongs, and the vindication17 of the sacred rights of labour—the shouts and waving of the torches as some bright or bold phrase touched them to the quick—the cause, the hour, the scene—all combined to render the assemblage in a high degree exciting.
“I wonder if Warner will speak to-night,” said Dandy Mick to Devilsdust.
“He can’t pitch it in like Gerard,” replied his companion.
“But he is a trump18 in the tender,” said the Dandy. “The Handlooms looks to him as their man, and that’s a powerful section.”
“If you come to the depth of a question, there’s nothing like Stephen Morley,” said Devilsdust. “‘Twould take six clergymen any day to settle him. He knows the principles of society by heart. But Gerard gets hold of the passions.”
“And that’s the way to do the trick,” said Dandy Mick. “I wish he would say march, and no mistake.”
“There is a great deal to do before saying that,” said Devilsdust. “We must have discussion, because when it comes to reasoning, the oligarchs have not got a leg to stand on; and we must stop the consumption of exciseable articles, and when they have no tin to pay the bayonets and their b—y police, they are dished.”
“You have a long head, Dusty,” said Mick.
“Why I have been thinking of it ever since I knew two and two made four,” said his friend. “I was not ten years old when I said to myself—It’s a pretty go this, that I should be toiling19 in a shoddy-hole to pay the taxes for a gentleman what drinks his port wine and stretches his legs on a Turkey carpet. Hear, hear,” he suddenly exclaimed, as Gerard threw off a stinging sentence. “Ah! that’s the man for the people. You will see, Mick, whatever happens, Gerard is the man who will always lead.”
Gerard had ceased amid enthusiastic plaudits, and Warner—that hand-loom weaver20 whom the reader may recollect21, and who had since become a popular leader and one of the principal followers22 of Gerard—had also addressed the multitude. They had cheered and shouted, and voted resolutions, and the business of the night was over. Now they were enjoined23 to disperse24 in order and depart in peace. The band sounded a triumphant25 retreat; the leaders had descended26 from the Druid’s Altar; the multitude were melting away, bearing back to the town their high resolves and panting thoughts, and echoing in many quarters the suggestive appeals of those who had addressed them. Dandy Mick and Devilsdust departed together; the business of their night had not yet commenced, and it was an important one.
They took their way to that suburb whither Gerard and Morley repaired the evening of their return from Marney Abbey; but it was not on this occasion to pay a visit to Chaffing Jack27 and his brilliant saloon. Winding28 through many obscure lanes, Mick and his friend at length turned into a passage which ended in a square court of a not inconsiderable size, and which was surrounded by high buildings that had the appearance of warehouses29. Entering one of these, and taking up a dim lamp that was placed on the stone of an empty hearth30, Devilsdust led his friend through several unoccupied and unfurnished rooms, until he came to one in which there were some signs of occupation.
“Now, Mick,” said he, in a very earnest, almost solemn tone, “are you firm?”
“All right, my hearty,” replied his friend, though not without some affectation of ease.
“There is a good deal to go through,” said Devilsdust. “It tries a man.”
“You don’t mean that?”
“But if you are firm, all’s right. Now I must leave you.”
“No, no, Dusty,” said Mick.
“I must go,” said Devilsdust; “and you must rest here till you are sent for. Now mind—whatever is bid you, obey; and whatever you see, be quiet. There,” and Devilsdust taking a flask31 out of his pocket, held it forth to his friend, “give a good pull, man, I can’t leave it you, for though your heart must be warm, your head must be cool,” and so saying he vanished.
Notwithstanding the animating32 draught33, the heart of Mick Radley trembled. There are some moments when the nervous system defies even brandy. Mick was on the eve of a great and solemn incident, round which for years his imagination had gathered and brooded. Often in that imagination he had conceived the scene, and successfully confronted its perils34 or its trials. Often had the occasion been the drama of many a triumphant reverie, but the stern presence of reality had dispelled35 all his fancy and all his courage. He recalled the warning of Julia, who had often dissuaded36 him from the impending37 step; that warning received with so much scorn and treated with so much levity38. He began to think that women were always right; that Devilsdust was after all a dangerous counsellor; he even meditated39 over the possibility of a retreat. He looked around him: the glimmering40 lamp scarcely indicated the outline of the obscure chamber41. It was lofty, nor in the obscurity was it possible for the eye to reach the ceiling, which several huge beams seemed to cross transversally, looming42 in the darkness. There was apparently43 no windows, and the door by which they had entered was not easily to be recognised. Mick had just taken up the lamp and was surveying his position, when a slight noise startled him, and looking round he beheld44 at some little distance two forms which he hoped were human.
Enveloped45 in dark cloaks and wearing black masks, a conical cap of the same colour adding to their considerable height, each held a torch. They stood in silence—two awful sentries46.
Their appearance appalled47, their stillness terrified, Mick: he remained with his mouth open and the lamp in his extended arm. At length, unable any longer to sustain the solemn mystery, and plucking up his natural audacity48, he exclaimed, “I say, what do you want?”
All was silent.
“Come, come,” said Mick much alarmed; “none of this sort of thing. I say, you must speak though.”
The figures advanced: they stuck their torches in a niche49 that was by; and then they placed each of them a hand on the shoulder of Mick.
“No, no; none of that,” said Mick, trying to disembarrass himself.
But, notwithstanding this fresh appeal, one of the silent masks pinioned50 his arms; and in a moment the eyes of the helpless friend of Devilsdust were bandaged.
Conducted by these guides, it seemed to Mick that he was traversing interminable rooms, or rather galleries, for once stretching out his arm, while one of his supporters had momentarily quitted him to open some gate or door, Mick touched a wall. At length one of the masks spoke51, and said, “In five minutes you will be in the presence of the SEVEN—prepare.”
At this moment rose the sound of distant voices singing in concert, and gradually increasing in volume as Mick and the masks advanced. One of these attendants now notifying to their charge that he must kneel down, Mick found he rested on a cushion, while at the same time his arms still pinioned, he seemed to be left alone.
The voices became louder and louder; Mick could distinguish the words and burthen of the hymn52; he was sensible that many persons were entering the apartment; he could distinguish the measured tread of some solemn procession. Round the chamber, more than once, they moved with slow and awful step. Suddenly that movement ceased; there was a pause of a few minutes; at length a voice spoke. “I denounce John Briars.”
“Why?” said another.
“He offers to take nothing but piece-work; the man who does piece-work is guilty of less defensible conduct than a drunkard. The worst passions of our nature are enlisted53 in support of piece-work. Avarice54, meanness, cunning, hypocrisy55, all excite and feed upon the miserable56 votary57 who works by the task and not by the hour. A man who earns by piece-work forty shillings per week, the usual wages for day-work being twenty, robs his fellows of a week’s employment; therefore I denounce John Briars.”
“Let it go forth,” said the other voice; “John Briars is denounced. If he receive another week’s wages by the piece, he shall not have the option of working the week after for time. No.87, see to John Briars.”
“I denounce Claughton and Hicks,” said another voice.
“Why?”
“Brethren, is it your pleasure that there shall be a turn out for ten days at Claughton and Hicks?”
“It is our pleasure,” cried several voices.
“No.34, give orders to-morrow that the works at Claughton and Hicks stop till further orders.”
“Brethren,” said another voice, “I propose the expulsion from this union, of any member who shall be known to boast of his superior ability, as to either the quantity or quality of work he can do, either in public or private company. Is it your pleasure?”
“It is our pleasure.”
“Brethren,” said a voice that seemed a presiding one, “before we proceed to the receipt of the revenue from the different districts of this lodge, there is I am informed a stranger present, who prays to be admitted into our fraternity. Are all robed in the mystic robe? Are all masked in the secret mask?”
“All
“Then let us pray!” And thereupon after a movement which intimated that all present were kneeling, the presiding voice offered up an extemporary prayer of great power and even eloquence60. This was succeeded by the Hymn of Labour, and at its conclusion the arms of the neophyte61 were unpinioned, and then his eyes were unbandaged.
Mick found himself in a lofty and spacious62 room lighted with many tapers63. Its walls were hung with black cloth; at a table covered with the same material, were seated seven persons in surplices and masked, the president on a loftier seat; above which on a pedestal was a skeleton complete. On each side of the skeleton was a man robed and masked, holding a drawn64 sword; and on each of Mick was a man in the same garb65 holding a battle-axe. On the table was the sacred volume open, and at a distance, ranged in order on each side of the room, was a row of persons in white robes and white masks, and holding torches.
“Michael Radley,” said the President. “Do you voluntarily swear in the presence of Almighty66 God and before these witnesses, that you will execute with zeal67 and alacrity68, as far as in you lies, every task and injunction that the majority of your brethren testified by the mandate69 of this grand committee, shall impose upon you, in futherance of our common welfare, of which they are the sole judges; such as the chastisement70 of Nobs, the assassination71 of oppressive and tyrannical masters, or the demolition72 of all mills, works and shops that shall be deemed by us incorrigible73. Do you swear this in the presence of Almighty God and before these witnesses?”
“I do swear it,” replied a tremulous voice.
“Then rise and kiss that book.”
Mick slowly rose from his kneeling position, advanced with a trembling step, and bending, embraced with reverence74 the open volume.
Immediately every one unmasked; Devilsdust came forward, and taking Mick by the hand led him to the President, who received him pronouncing some mystic rhymes. He was covered with a robe and presented with a torch, and then ranged in order with his companions. Thus terminated the initiation75 of Dandy Mick into a TRADES union.
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1
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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3
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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5
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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6
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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7
brandished
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| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
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8
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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10
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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11
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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12
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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14
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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15
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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16
distended
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| v.（使）膨胀，肿胀( distend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
vindication
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| n.洗冤，证实 | |
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18
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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19
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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20
weaver
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| n.织布工；编织者 | |
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21
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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22
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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23
enjoined
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| v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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25
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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26
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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27
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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28
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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29
warehouses
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| 仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 ) | |
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30
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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31
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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32
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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33
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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34
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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35
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36
dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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38
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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39
meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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40
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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41
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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42
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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43
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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44
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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45
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
sentries
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| 哨兵，步兵( sentry的名词复数 ) | |
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47
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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48
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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49
niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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50
pinioned
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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52
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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53
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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54
avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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55
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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56
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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57
votary
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| n.崇拜者；爱好者；adj.誓约的，立誓任圣职的 | |
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58
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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59
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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60
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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61
neophyte
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| n.新信徒；开始者 | |
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62
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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63
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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64
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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65
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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66
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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67
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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68
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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69
mandate
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| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
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70
chastisement
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| n.惩罚 | |
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71
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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72
demolition
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| n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹 | |
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73
incorrigible
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| adj.难以纠正的，屡教不改的 | |
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74
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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75
initiation
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| n.开始 | |
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