Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/315

249 THK PICKWICK CLUB. 249

can l>e contemplated in this town, I am persuaded. Bless my soul, Ma'am, are you aware of the activity of our local magistracy ? Do you liappen to have heard, Ma'am, that I rushed into a prize-ring on the fourth of May last, attended by only sixty special constables ; and, at the hazard of falling a sacrifice to the angry passions of an infuriated multitude, prohibited a pugilistic contest between the Middlesex Dumpling, and the Suffolk Bantam? A duel in Ipswich, Ma'am ! I don't think — I do not think," said the Magistrate, reasoning with himself, '* that any two men can have had the hardihood to plan such a breach of the peace, in this town."

aged lady, *' I was present at the quarrel."
 * ' My information is unfortunately but too correct," said the middle-

" It's a most extraordinary thing," said the astounded Magis- trate. " Muzzle."

" Yes, your worship."


 * • Send Mr. Jinks here, directly — instantly."

" Yes, your worship."

Muzzle retired; and a pale, sharp-nosed, half-fed, shabbily-clad clerk, of middle age, entered the room.

" Mr. Jinks," eaid the Magistrate — " Mr. Jinks."

" Sir," said Mr. Jinks.

" This lady, Mr. Jinks, has come here, to give information of an intended duel in this town."

Mr. Jinks, not exactly knowing what to do, smiled a dependent's smile.

" What are you laughing at, Mr. Jinks? " said the Magistrate.

Mr. Jinks looked serious, instantly.

" Mr. Jinks," said the Magistrate, *' you're a fool. Sir."

Mr. Jiuks looked humbly at the great man, and bit the top of his pen.

" You may see something very comical in this information. Sir ; but I can tell you this, Mr. Jinks, that you have very little to laugh at," said the Magistrate.

The hungry-looking Jinks sighed, as if he were quite aware of the fact of his having very little indeed, to be merry about ; and, being ordered to take the lady's information, shambled to a seat, and proceeded to write it down.

" This man Pickwick is the principal, I understand," said the Magis- trate, when the statement was finished.

"He is," said the middle-aged lady.

" And the other rioter — what's his name, Mr. Jinks ? "

" Tupman, Sir."

" Tupman is the second ? "

"Yes."

'* The other principal you say, has absconded. Ma'am ? '*

" Yes," replied Miss Witherfield, with a short cough.

« Very well," said the Magistrate. " These are two cut-throats from London, who have come down here, to destroy his Majesty's population, thinking that at this distance from the capital, the arm of the law is weak and paralysed. They shall be made an example of. Draw up the warrants, Mr. Jinks. Muzzle."