| 408 | 409 | 410 | 411 | 412 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
|
with his feet about a yard and a quarter apart, amidst the gratified
shouts of all the spectators.
'
Keep the pot a-bilin', Sir!' said Sam; and down went Wardle again,
and then Mr Pickwick, and then Sam, and then Mr Winkle, and then
Mr Bob Sawyer, and then the fat boy, and then Mr Snodgrass,
following closely upon each other's heels, and running after each other
with as much eagerness as if their future prospects in life depended
on their expedition.
It was the most intensely interesting thing, to observe the manner in
which Mr Pickwick performed his share in the ceremony; to watch the
torture of anxiety with which he viewed the person behind, gaining
upon him at the imminent hazard of tripping him up; to see him
gradually expend the painful force he had put on at first, and turn
slowly round on the slide, with his face towards the point from which
he had started; to contemplate the playful smile which mantled on his
face when he had accomplished the distance, and the eagerness with
which he turned round when he had done so, and ran after his
predecessor, his black gaiters tripping pleasantly through the snow,
and his eyes beaming cheerfulness and gladness through his
spectacles. And when he was knocked down (which happened upon
the average every third round), it was the most invigorating sight that
can possibly be imagined, to behold him gather up his hat, gloves, and
handkerchief, with a glowing countenance, and resume his station in
the rank, with an ardour and enthusiasm that nothing Could abate.
The sport was at its height, the sliding was at the quickest, the
laughter was at the loudest, when a sharp smart crack was heard.
There was a quick rush towards the bank, a wild scream from the
ladies, and a shout from Mr Tupman. A large mass of ice disappeared;
the water bubbled up over it; Mr Pickwick's hat, gloves, and
handkerchief were floating on the surface; and this was all of Mr
Pickwick that anybody could see.
Dismay and anguish were depicted on every countenance; the males
turned pale, and the females fainted; Mr Snodgrass and Mr Winkle
grasped each other by the hand, and gazed at the spot where their
leader had gone down, with frenzied eagerness; while Mr Tupman, by
way of rendering the promptest assistance, and at the same time
conveying to any persons who might be within hearing, the clearest
possible notion of the catastrophe, ran off across the country at his
utmost speed, screaming 'Fire!' with all his might.
It was at this moment, when old Wardle and Sam Weller were
approaching the hole with cautious steps, and Mr Benjamin Allen was
holding a hurried consultation with Mr Bob Sawyer on the advisability
of bleeding the company generally, as an improving little bit of
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Quick Jump
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