his companion's resolution. Any repetition of his arguments would be

useless; for what language could convey to them that energy and force

which their great originator's manner communicated? Whether Mr

Tupman was already tired of retirement, or whether he was wholly

unable to resist the eloquent appeal which was made to him, matters

not, he did NOT resist it at last.

It mattered little to him,' he said, 'where he dragged out the miserable

remainder of his days; and since his friend laid so much stress upon

his humble companionship, he was willing to share his adventures.'

Mr Pickwick smiled; they shook hands, and walked back to rejoin

their companions.

It was at this moment that Mr Pickwick made that immortal discovery,

which has been the pride and boast of his friends, and the envy of

every antiquarian in this or any other country. They had passed the

door of their inn, and walked a little way down the village, before they

recollected the precise spot in which it stood. As they turned back, Mr

Pickwick's eye fell upon a small broken stone, partially buried in the

ground, in front of a cottage door. He paused.

This is very strange,' said Mr Pickwick.

What is strange?' inquired Mr Tupman, staring eagerly at every object

near him, but the right one. 'God bless me, what's the matter?'

This last was an ejaculation of irrepressible astonishment, occasioned

by seeing Mr Pickwick, in his enthusiasm for discovery, fall on his

knees before the little stone, and commence wiping the dust off it with

his pocket-handkerchief.

There is an inscription here,' said Mr Pickwick.

Is it possible?' said Mr Tupman.

I can discern,'continued Mr Pickwick, rubbing away with all his

might, and gazing intently through his spectacles - 'I can discern a

cross, and a 13, and then a T. This is important,' continued Mr

Pickwick, starting up. 'This is some very old inscription, existing

perhaps long before the ancient alms-houses in this place. It must not

be lost.'

He tapped at the cottage door. A labouring man opened it.

'Do you know how this stone came here, my friend?' inquired the

benevolent Mr Pickwick.

The Pickwick Papers