burst forth with the most awful and tremendous discharge that ever

shook the earth to its centres, or an elderly gentleman off his.

It was in this trying situation, exposed to a galling fire of blank

cartridges, and harassed by the operations of the military, a fresh

body of whom had begun to fall in on the opposite side, that Mr

Pickwick displayed that perfect coolness and self-possession, which

are the indispensable accompaniments of a great mind. He seized Mr

Winkle by the arm, and placing himself between that gentleman and

Mr Snodgrass, earnestly besought them to remember that beyond the

possibility of being rendered deaf by the noise, there was no

immediate danger to be apprehended from the firing.

But - but - suppose some of the men should happen to have ball

cartridges by mistake,' remonstrated Mr Winkle, pallid at the

supposition he was himself conjuring up. 'I heard something whistle

through the air now - so sharp; close to my ear.' 'We had better throw

ourselves on our faces, hadn't we?' said Mr Snodgrass.

'No, no - it's over now,' said Mr Pickwick. His lip might quiver, and his

cheek might blanch, but no expression of fear or concern escaped the

lips of that immortal man.

Mr Pickwick was right - the firing ceased; but he had scarcely time to

congratulate himself on the accuracy of his opinion, when a quick

movement was visible in the line; the hoarse shout of the word of

command ran along it, and before either of the party could form a

guess at the meaning of this new manoeuvre, the whole of the half-

dozen regiments, with fixed bayonets, charged at double-quick time

down upon the very spot on which Mr Pickwick and his friends were

stationed. Man is but mortal; and there is a point beyond which

human courage cannot extend. Mr Pickwick gazed through his

spectacles for an instant on the advancing mass, and then fairly

turned his back and - we will not say fled; firstly, because it is an

ignoble term, and, secondly, because Mr Pickwick's figure was by no

means adapted for that mode of retreat - he trotted away, at as quick

a rate as his legs would convey him; so quickly, indeed, that he did

not perceive the awkwardness of his situation, to the full extent, until

too late.

The opposite troops, whose falling-in had perplexed Mr Pickwick a few

seconds before, were drawn up to repel the mimic attack of the sham

besiegers of the citadel; and the consequence was that Mr Pickwick

and his two companions found themselves suddenly inclosed between

two lines of great length, the one advancing at a rapid pace, and the

other firmly waiting the collision in hostile array.

'Hoi!' shouted the officers of the advancing line.

The Pickwick Papers