We cannot state the precise nature of the thoughts which passed

through Mr Trotter's mind, because we don't know what they were.

The day wore on, evening came, and at a little before ten o'clock Sam

Weller reported that Mr Jingle and Job had gone out together, that

their luggage was packed up, and that they had ordered a chaise. The

plot was evidently in execution, as Mr Trotter had foretold.

Half-past ten o'clock arrived, and it was time for Mr Pickwick to issue

forth on his delicate errand. Resisting Sam's tender of his greatcoat, in

order that he might have no encumbrance in scaling the wall, he set

forth, followed by his attendant.

There was a bright moon, but it was behind the clouds. it was a fine

dry night, but it was most uncommonly dark. Paths, hedges, fields,

houses, and trees, were enveloped in one deep shade. The atmosphere

was hot and sultry, the summer lightning quivered faintly on the verge

of the horizon, and was the only sight that varied the dull gloom in

which everything was wrapped - sound there was none, except the

distant barking of some restless house-dog.

They found the house, read the brass plate, walked round the wall,

and stopped at that portion of it which divided them from the bottom

of the garden.

'You will return to the inn, Sam, when you have assisted me over,'

said Mr Pickwick.

Wery well, Sir.'

And you will sit up, till I return.'

Cert'nly, Sir.'

Take hold of my leg; and, when I say ‘Over,’ raise me gently.'

All right, sir.'

Having settled these preliminaries, Mr Pickwick grasped the top of the

wall, and gave the word 'Over,' which was literally obeyed. Whether his

body partook in some degree of the elasticity of his mind, or whether

Mr Weller's notions of a gentle push were of a somewhat rougher

description than Mr Pickwick's, the immediate effect of his assistance

was to jerk that immortal gentleman completely over the wall on to the

bed beneath, where, after crushing three gooseberry-bushes and a

rose-tree, he finally alighted at full length.

The Pickwick Papers