At length they arrived at the large stone. Here Sam recommended his

master and Mr Winkle to seat themselves, while he reconnoitred, and

ascertained whether Mary was yet in waiting.

After an absence of five or ten minutes, Sam returned to say that the

gate was opened, and all quiet. Following him with stealthy tread, Mr

Pickwick and Mr Winkle soon found themselves in the garden. Here

everybody said, 'Hush!' a good many times; and that being done, no

one seemed to have any very distinct apprehension of what was to be

done next.

Is Miss Allen in the garden yet, Mary?' inquired Mr Winkle, much

agitated.

I don't know, sir,' replied the pretty housemaid. 'The best thing to be

done, sir, will be for Mr Weller to give you a hoist up into the tree, and

perhaps Mr Pickwick will have the goodness to see that nobody comes

up the lane, while I watch at the other end of the garden. Goodness

gracious, what's that?'

That 'ere blessed lantern 'ull be the death on us all,' exclaimed Sam

peevishly. 'Take care wot you're a-doin' on, sir; you're a-sendin' a

blaze o' light, right into the back parlour winder.'

Dear me!' said Mr Pickwick, turning hastily aside, 'I didn't mean to do

that.'

'Now, it's in the next house, sir,' remonstrated Sam.

'Bless my heart!' exclaimed Mr Pickwick, turning round again.

Now, it's in the stable, and they'll think the place is afire,' said Sam.

Shut it up, sir, can't you?'

It's the most extraordinary lantern I ever met with, in all my life!'

exclaimed Mr Pickwick, greatly bewildered by the effects he had so

unintentionally produced. 'I never saw such a powerful reflector.'

It'll be vun too powerful for us, if you keep blazin' avay in that

manner, sir,' replied Sam, as Mr Pickwick, after various unsuccessful

efforts, managed to close the slide. 'There's the young lady's footsteps.

Now, Mr Winkle, sir, up vith you.'

Stop, stop!' said Mr Pickwick, 'I must speak to her first. Help me up,

Sam.'

The Pickwick Papers