Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/110

68 08 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

best place in the whole field;" and the cricketer, panting on before, .preceded them to the tent.

" Capital game — smart sport — fine exercise — very," were the words which fell upon Mr. Pickwick's ear as he entered the tent ; and the first object that met his eyes, was his green-coated friend of the Rochester coach, holding forth, to the no small delight and edification of a select circle of the chosen of AU-Muggleton. His dress was slightly improved, and he wore boots ; but there was no mistaking him.

The stranger recognised his friends immediately : and, darting for- ward and seizing Mr. Pickwick by the hand, dragged him to a seat, with his usual impetuosity, talking all the while as if the whole of the arrangements were under his especial patronage and direction.

" This way — this way — capital fun — lots of beer — hogsheads ; rounds of beef— bullocks ; mustard — cart loads ; glorious day— -down with you — make yourself at home— glad to see you — very."

Mr. Pickwick sat down as he was bid, and Mr. Winkle and Mr. Snodgrass also complied with the directions of their mysterious friend. Mr. Wardle looked on, in silent wonder.

" Mr. Wardle — a friend of mine," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Friend of yours ! — My dear Sir, how are you ? — Friend of my friend's— give me your hand. Sir"— and the stranger grasped Mr. Wardle's hand with all the fervour of a close intimacy of many years, and then stepped back a pace or two as if to take a full survey of his face and figure, and then shook hands with him again, if possible, more warmly than before.

" Well; and how came you here?" said Mr. Pickwick, with a smile in which benevolence struggled with surprise.

" Come," replied the stranger — " stopping at Crown — Crown at Muggleton — met a party — flannel jackets — white trowsers — anchovy sandwiches — devilled kidneys — splendid fellows — glorious."

Mr. Pickwick was sufficiently versed in the stranger's system of stenography to infer from this rapid and disjointed communication that he had, somehow or other, contracted ah acquaintance with the All-Muggletons, which he bad converted, by a process peculiar to him- self, into that extent of good fellowship on which a general invitation may be easily founded. His curiosity was therefore satisfied, and put- ting on his spectacles he prepared himself to watch the play which was just commencing.

AU-Muggleton had the first innings ; and the interest became intense when Mr. Dumkins and Mr. Podder, two of the most renowned mem- bers of that most distinguished club, walked, bat in hand, to their respective wickets. Mr. Luff'ey, the highest ornament of Dingley Dell was pitched to bowl against the redoubtable Dumkins, and Mr. Strug- gles was selected to do the same kind office for the hitherto uncon- quered Podder. Several players were stationed, to " look out," in different parts of the field, and each fixed himself into the proper atti- tude by placing one hand on each knee, and stooping very much as if he were "making a back" for some beginner at leap-frog. All the regr.lar players do this sort of thing; — indeed it's gf^nerally