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How Mr Winkle cursed his companion's devoted friendship internally,
as they walked silently along, side by side, for some minutes, each
immersed in his own meditations! The morning was wearing away; he
grew desperate.
'
Snodgrass,' he said, stopping suddenly, 'do not let me be balked in
this matter - do not give information to the local authorities - do not
obtain the assistance of several peace officers, to take either me or
Doctor Slammer, of the 97th Regiment, at present quartered in
Chatham Barracks, into custody, and thus prevent this duel! - I say,
do not.'
Mr Snodgrass seized his friend's hand warmly, as he enthusiastically
replied, 'Not for worlds!'
A thrill passed over Mr Winkle's frame as the conviction that he had
nothing to hope from his friend's fears, and that he was destined to
become an animated target, rushed forcibly upon him.
The state of the case having been formally explained to Mr Snodgrass,
and
a
case of satisfactory pistols, with the satisfactory
accompaniments of powder, ball, and caps, having been hired from a
manufacturer in Rochester, the two friends returned to their inn; Mr
Winkle to ruminate on the approaching struggle, and Mr Snodgrass to
arrange the weapons of war, and put them into proper order for
immediate use.
it was a dull and heavy evening when they again sallied forth on their
awkward errand. Mr Winkle was muffled up in a huge cloak to escape
observation, and Mr Snodgrass bore under his the instruments of
destruction.
'
'
Have you got everything?' said Mr Winkle, in an agitated tone.
Everything,' replied Mr Snodgrass; 'plenty of ammunition, in case the
shots don't take effect. There's a quarter of a pound of powder in the
case, and I have got two newspapers in my pocket for the loadings.'
These were instances of friendship for which any man might
reasonably feel most grateful. The presumption is, that the gratitude
of Mr Winkle was too powerful for utterance, as he said nothing, but
continued to walk on - rather slowly.
'
We are in excellent time,' said Mr Snodgrass, as they climbed the
fence of the first field;'the sun is just going down.' Mr Winkle looked
up at the declining orb and painfully thought of the probability of his
'going down' himself, before long.
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