Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 3.djvu/184

 there. I saw one of the gentlemen in the box placing the shawl over her shoulders, with the most careful attention, while the by-standers seemed ready to tear him in pieces, from envy. I hurried to the door, and saw her handed into her carriage, which drove off at a great pace. I ran after it, jumped up behind, and took my station by the side of the footman.

"Descendez donc, Monsieur," said the man.

"I'll be d—d if I do," said I.

"Comment donc?" said the man.

"Tai-toi bête," said I, "ou je te bruteras la cervelle."

"Vous f——e," said the man, who behaved very well, and instantly began to remove me, vi et armis; but I planted a stomacher in his fifth button, which I knew would put him hors de combat, for a few minutes, and by that time, at the rate the carriage was driving, my purpose would have been answered. The fellow lost his breath—could not hold on or speak— so tumbled off and lay in the middle of the road.