Having given this alarm. Keith, Johnny at his elbow, started toward the centre of disturbance1, From it arose a dull, menacing roar, like the sound of breakers on a rocky coast. Many people, with much excitement, shouting, and vituperation, were converging2 toward the common centre. As this was approached, it became more difficult, at last impossible, to proceed. The streets were packed, jammed. All sorts of rumours3 were abroad--King, was dead--King was only slightly hurt--Casey was not in jail at all--Casey had escaped down the Peninsula--the United States warships4 had anchored off the foot of Market Street and were preparing to bombard the city. There was much rushing to and fro without cause. And over all the roar could be distinguished5 occasionally single cries, as one may catch fragments of conversation in a crowded room, and all of these were sinister6: "Hang him!" "Where is he?" "Run him up on a lamp post!" "Bring him out!" "He'll get away if left to the officers!" And over all the cries, the shouts, the curses, the noise of shuffling7 feet, the very sound of heavy breathing-- that--the numbers of the mob magnified to a muffled8, formidable undernote, pealed9 louder and louder the Monumental bell, which now Bert Taylor--or some one else--was ringing like mad.
Keith's eyes had become grim and inscrutable, and his mouth had settled into a hard, straight line. Johnny's interest had at first centred in the mob, but after a few curious glances at his companion he transferred it entirely10 to him, Johnny Fairfax was a judge of men and of crises; and now he was invaded with a great curiosity to see how the one and the other were here to work out. With a determination that would not be gainsaid11, Keith thrust himself through the crowd until he had gained an elevated coping. Here he stood watching. Johnny, after a glance at his face, joined him.
Suddenly in the entrance of Dunbar Alley12, next the city jail, a compact group of men with drawn13 pistols appeared. They made their way rapidly to a carriage standing14 near, jumped in, and the driver whipped up his horses. With a yell of rage the crowd charged down, but recoiled15 instinctively16 before the presented pistols. The horses reared and plunged17, and before anybody had gathered his wits sufficiently18 to seize the bridles19, the whole equipage had disappeared around the corner of Kearney Street.
"I must say that was well done," said Johnny.
"North and Charles Duane, with Casey, inside," commented Keith, as dispassionately as though reading from a catalogue. "Billy Mulligan and his deputies outside. That is to be remembered."
A great mob had surged after the disappearing vehicle, but at least fifty yards in the rear. The remainder were following at a more leisurely20 pace. Almost immediately the street was empty. Keith climbed slowly down from his coping.
"What do you intend doing?" asked Johnny curiously21.
"Nothing yet."
"But they're getting him away!"
"No," said Keith, out of his local knowledge. "They're merely taking him to the county jail; it's stronger."
They followed the crowd to the wide open space below the county jail. The latter was at that period a solidly built one-story building situated23 atop a low bluff24. Below it the marshal had drawn up his officers. They stood coolly at ease. The mob, very excited, vociferated, surged back and forth25. North and his men, busily and coolly, but emphatically, were warning them, over and over again, not to approach nearer. A single, concerted rush would have overwhelmed the few defenders26; but the rush was not made. Nevertheless, it could not be doubted that this time the temper of the people was very determined27. The excitement was growing with every minute. Cries again took coherence28.
"Hang him!" "Arrest the officers!" "Good, that's it!" "Let's take the jail!"
A man burst through the front ranks, clambered up the low bluff on which stood the jail, turned, and attempted to harangue29 the crowd. He was instantly torn down by the officers. He fought like a wild cat, and the crowd, on the hair trigger as it was, howled and broke forward. But Marshal North, who really handled the situation intelligently, sharply commanded his men to desist, and instantly to release the orator30. He knew better than to allow the matter to come to an issue of strength. Intensely excited, the man shouldered his way through the crowd, and, assisted by many hands, mounted the balcony of a two-story house. Thence he began to harangue, but so great was the confusion that he could not be heard.
"Who is he?" "Who is that man?" voices cried from a dozen points.
George Frank, a hotel keeper, possessed31 of a great voice, shouted back:
"That is Thomas King--"
An officer seized Frank hastily by the collar. "Stop or I'll arrest you!" he threatened.
"--brother of James King of William!" bellowed32 Frank, undaunted.
"Bully33 for you!" muttered Johnny Fairfax, whose eyes were shining.
Keith was watching the whole scene from beneath the brim of his hat, his eyes sombre and expressionless. Johnny glanced at him from time to time, but said nothing.
From the balcony Thomas King continued to harangue the crowd. Little of what he said could be heard, but he was at a white heat of excitement, and those nearest him were greatly aroused. An officer made a movement to arrest him, but a hasty message from the sapient34 North restrained that.
At that moment a great cheer burst out from the lower end of the street. Over the heads of the crowd could be distinguished the glint of file after file of bayonets.
"That's the ticket!" cried an enthusiast35 near Keith and Johnny. "Here come the militia36 boys! Now we'll soon have the jail!"
The bayonets bobbed steadily37 through the crowd, deployed38 in front of the jail, and turned to face the mob. A great groan39 went up.
"Sold!" cried the enthusiast.
These were volunteers from the Law and Order party, hastily armed from the militia armouries, and thrown in front of the jail for its protection.
Immediately they had taken position the jail door opened, and there appeared a rather short, carefully dressed man, with side whiskers, carrying his hat in his hand. He stood for a moment, appealing for attention, one arm upraised. Little by little the noise died down.
"Who is that?" inquired Johnny.
He received no reply from Keith, but the enthusiast informed him:
"That's our beloved mayor--Van Ness," said he.
When quiet had at length been restored, Van Ness addressed them:
"You are here creating an excitement," he said, "which may lead to occurrences this night which will require years to wipe out. You are now labouring under great excitement, and I advise you quietly to disperse40. I assure you the prisoner is safe. Let the law have its course and justice will be done."
Up to this point Van Ness had been listened to with respect, but at the last word he received such a chorus of jeers41 and cat calls that he retired42 hastily.
"How about Richardson?" they demanded of him. "Where's the law in Cora's case?" "To hell with such justice!"
"Not the popular orator," observed Johnny Fairfax.
More soldiers came, and then more, at short intervals43, until the square was filled with shining bayonets. Johnny was frankly44 disgusted. As a man of action he too well understood that this particular crisis was practically over. From this mob the jail was safe.
"They lost their chance talking," he said. "They ought to have rushed the jail first pop. Now the whole thing will fizzle out slowly. Let's go get supper."
Without reply Keith descended45 from his perch46. They hunted some time for a restaurant. All were closed for the sufficient reason that their staffs were on the streets. Finally they discovered a Chinese chop house prepared to serve them, and here they ate. Johnny was voluble in his scorn for the manner in which a golden opportunity had been allowed to slip by. Keith was very taciturn.
"Let's get out of here," he said abruptly47 at last. "Let's get some news."
They learned that King was still alive, though badly wounded in the left breast; that he could not be moved; that he was attended by Dr. Beverly Cole and a half score of the best surgeons of the city; that a mass meeting had been called at the Plaza48. Indeed, there could be no doubt that the centre of excitement had been shifted to the Plaza. Men by thousands, all armed, were marching in that direction. Johnny and Keith found the square jammed, but the latter led the way by devious49 alleys50 to the rear of the Monumental headquarters, and so out to a little second-story balcony.
Below them the faces of the packed mass of humanity showed white in the dim light from the street lamps and the buildings. Arms gleamed. Every roof top, every window, every balcony was crowded. From the latter vehement51 orators52 held forth. All wanted to talk at once. Some of these people were, as our chronicler of the time quaintly53 expresses it, "considerably54 tight." Keith looked them all over with an appraising55 eye, listening at the same time to incendiary speeches advising the battering56 down of the jail and the hanging of all its inmates57. Occasionally one of the cooler headed would get in a few words, but invariably was interrupted by some well-meaning hot head.
There seemed to be a great diversity of opinion both among the people on the balcony and those below. Keith listened attentively58 for a time, then, with the abruptness59 that had characterized his movements and decisions since the moment he had heard the news of King's assassination60, he turned away.
"Let's go," he said briefly61.
"Oh, hold on!" cried Johnny, aghast. "It's just the shank of the evening! We'll miss all the fun."
"There'll be nothing done," said Keith with decision.
"I'm more in hopes," persisted Johnny. "I'll bet there are ten thousand men here, armed and angry, and getting angrier every minute. They could fairly eat up that lot at the jail."
"They won't," said Keith.
"I'll bet one good man could turn them loose in a minute."
Suddenly Keith's dour62 taciturnity broke. "You're perfectly63 right," he conceded; "but the point is that good men won't lead a rabble64. If we're to have good leaders we must have something for them to lead. If we're to cure these conditions, we must do things in due order. This cannot be remedied by mere22 excitement nor by deeds done under excitement. I have not yet seen anything that promises either satisfaction or reform."
"What do you propose doing, then?" asked Johnny, his intuitions again satisfying him that here was the man to tie to.
"Walk about," replied Keith.
They walked about. In the course of the evening they looked in on a dozen meetings of which they had news--in the Pioneer Club, in rooms over the old Bella Union, in a saloon off Montgomery Street, at the offices of various merchants. Keith looked carefully over the personnel of each of these various meetings, listened a minute or so, and went out. By some of the men so gathered Johnny was quite impressed, but Keith shook his head.
"These meetings are being held by clubs or cliques," he explained his disbelief in them. "They influence a certain following, but not a general following. This must be a general movement or none at all. The right people haven't taken hold."
About midnight he unexpectedly announced that he was going home and to bed. Johnny was frankly scandalized,
"I think nothing will happen in this matter," said Keith,
"The time for mob violence has passed. If an attack were now to be made, I should consider it unfortunate, and should not want to be mixed up in it, anyway. A mob attack is nothing but a manifestation65 of sheer lawlessness."
"And you're keen for the dear law, of course," said Johnny with sarcasm66.
"There is a difference between mere laws and the law. There is a time-- either here or coming soon--when laws may be broken that justice may be done. But no popular movement will succeed unless it has behind it the solemn, essential human law. Good-night."
收听单词发音 |
1
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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converging
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| adj.收敛[缩]的，会聚的，趋同的v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的现在分词 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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warships
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| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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gainsaid
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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coherence
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| n.紧凑；连贯；一致性 | |
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harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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31
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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32
bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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sapient
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| adj.有见识的，有智慧的 | |
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35
enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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37
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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38
deployed
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| （尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用 | |
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39
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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40
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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41
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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43
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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44
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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45
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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46
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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48
plaza
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| n.广场，市场 | |
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49
devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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50
alleys
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| 胡同，小巷( alley的名词复数 )； 小径 | |
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51
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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52
orators
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| n.演说者，演讲家( orator的名词复数 ) | |
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53
quaintly
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| adv.古怪离奇地 | |
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54
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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55
appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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56
battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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57
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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58
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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59
abruptness
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| n. 突然，唐突 | |
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60
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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61
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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62
dour
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| adj.冷酷的，严厉的；（岩石）嶙峋的；顽强不屈 | |
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63
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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64
rabble
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| n.乌合之众，暴民；下等人 | |
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65
manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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66
sarcasm
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| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
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