No, no,' interrupted Winkle, terrified at the idea of his companion's

unconsciously pledging himself not to give information; 'don't swear,

don't swear; it's quite unnecessary.'

Mr Snodgrass dropped the hand which he had, in the spirit of poesy,

raised towards the clouds as he made the above appeal, and assumed

an attitude of attention.

'I want your assistance, my dear fellow, in an affair of honour,' said Mr

Winkle.

You shall have it,' replied Mr Snodgrass, clasping his friend's hand.

With a doctor - Doctor Slammer, of the 97th,' said Mr Winkle, wishing

to make the matter appear as solemn as possible; 'an affair with an

officer, seconded by another officer, at sunset this evening, in a lonely

field beyond Fort Pitt.'

'I will attend you,' said Mr Snodgrass.

He was astonished, but by no means dismayed. It is extraordinary

how cool any party but the principal can be in such cases. Mr Winkle

had forgotten this. He had judged of his friend's feelings by his own.

The consequences may be dreadful,' said Mr Winkle.

I hope not,' said Mr Snodgrass.

The doctor, I believe, is a very good shot,' said Mr Winkle.

Most of these military men are,' observed Mr Snodgrass calmly; 'but

so are you, ain't you?' Mr Winkle replied in the affirmative; and

perceiving that he had not alarmed his companion sufficiently,

changed his ground.

'Snodgrass,' he said, in a voice tremulous with emotion, 'if I fall, you

will find in a packet which I shall place in your hands a note for my -

for my father.'

This attack was a failure also. Mr Snodgrass was affected, but he

undertook the delivery of the note as readily as if he had been a

twopenny postman.

'If I fall,' said Mr Winkle, 'or if the doctor falls, you, my dear friend, will

be tried as an accessory before the fact. Shall I involve my friend in

transportation - possibly for life!' Mr Snodgrass winced a little at this,

but his heroism was invincible. 'In the cause of friendship,' he

fervently exclaimed, 'I would brave all dangers.'

The Pickwick Papers