Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/108

66 66 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

" Oh yes I did ! *' replied Mr. Tupman ; " repeat them. If you would have me recover, repeat them."

" Hush I " said the Lady. " My brother."

Mr. Tracy Tupman resumed his former position ; and Mr. Wardle accompanied by a surgeon, entered the room.

The arm was examined, the wound dressed, and pronounced to be a very slight one; and the minds of the company having been thus satis- fied, they proceeded to satisfy their appetites with countenances to which an expression of cheerfulness was again restored. Mr. Pickwick alone was silent and reserved. Doubt and distrust were exhibited in his countenance. His confidence in Mr. Winkle had been shaken — greatly shaken — by the proceedings of the morning.

" Are you a cricketer?" inquired Mr. Wardle of the marksman.

At any other time, Mr. Winkle would have replied in the affirmative. He felt the delicacy of his situation, and modestly replied, " No."

" Are you, Sir ? " inquired Mr. Snodgrass.

up now. I subscribe to the club here, but I don't play."
 * I was once upon a time," replied the host ; " but I have given it


 * The grand match is played to-day, I believe," said Mr. Pickwick.

" It is," replied the host. " Of course you would like to see it."

" I, Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick, " am delighted to view any sports which may be safely indulged in, and in which the impotent effects of unskilful people do not endanger human life." Mr. Pickwick paused, and looked steadily on Mr. Winkle, who quailed beneath his leader's searching glance. The great man withdrew his eyes after a few minutes, and added : " Shall we be justified in leaving our wounded friend to the care of the ladies ? "

" You cannot leave me in better hands," said Mr. Tupman.

" Quite impossible," said Mr. Snodgrass.

It was therefore settled that Mr. Tupman should be left at home in charge of the females ; and that the remainder of the guests under the guidance of Mr. Wardle should proceed to the spot, where was to be held that trial of skill, which had roused all Muggleton from its torpor, and innoculated Dingley Dell with a fever of excitement.

As their walk which was not above two miles long, lay through shady lanes, and sequestered footpaths ; and as their conversation turned upon the delightful scenery by which they were on every side sur- rounded, Mr. Pickwick was almost inclined to regret the expedition they had used, when he found himself in the main street of the town of Muggleton.

Everybody whose genius has a topographical bent, knows perfectly well, that Muggleton is a corporate town, with a mayor, burgesses, and freemen ; and anybody who has consulted the addresses of the mayor to the freemen, or the freemen to the mayor, or both to the corpora- tion, or all three to Parliament, will learn from thence what they ought to have known before, that Muggleton is an ancient and loyal borough, mingling a zealous advocacy of Christian principles with a devoted attachment to commercial rights ; in demonstration whereof, the mayor, corporation, and other inhabitants, have presented at divers times, no fewer than one thousand four hundred and twenty petitions, against the