Works . rse shout of the word of command ran along it, and beforeeither of the party could form a guess at the meaning of thisnew manoeuvre, the whole of the half-dozen regiments, withfixed bayonets, charged at double quick time down upon thevery spot on which Mr. Pickwick and his friends were stationed. Man is but mortal: and there is a point beyond which humancourage cannot extend. Mr. Pickwick gazed through his spectaclesfor an instant on the advancing mass, and then fairly turned hisback and—we will not say fled; firstly, because it is an ignobleterm, and, secondly, because Mr. Pickwicks f
Works . rse shout of the word of command ran along it, and beforeeither of the party could form a guess at the meaning of thisnew manoeuvre, the whole of the half-dozen regiments, withfixed bayonets, charged at double quick time down upon thevery spot on which Mr. Pickwick and his friends were stationed. Man is but mortal: and there is a point beyond which humancourage cannot extend. Mr. Pickwick gazed through his spectaclesfor an instant on the advancing mass, and then fairly turned hisback and—we will not say fled; firstly, because it is an ignobleterm, and, secondly, because Mr. Pickwicks figure was by nomeans adapted for that mode of retreat—he trotted away, at asquick a rate as his legs would convey him; so quickly, indeed,that he did not perceive the awkwardness of his situation, tothe full extent, untU too late. The opposite troops, whose faUing-in had perplexed a few seconds before, were drawn up to repel themimic attack of the sham besiegers of the citadel; and the 54. MR. PICKWICK BETWEEN TWO FIRES consequence was that Mr. Pickwick and his two companions foundthemselves suddenly inclosed between two lines of great length,the one advancing at a rapid pace, and the other firmly waitingthe collision in hostile array. Hoi! shouted the officers of the advancing line. Get out of the way, cried the officers of the stationary one. Where are we to go to ? screamed the agitated Pickwickians. Hoi—^hoi—^hoi! was the only reply. There was a momentof intense bewilderment, a heavy tramp of footsteps, a violentconcussion, a smothered laugh; the half-dozen regiments werehalf a thousand yards off, and the soles of Mr. Pickwicks bootswere elevated in air. Mr. Snodgrass, and Mr. Winkle had each performed a com-pulsory somerset with remarkable agility, when the first objectthat met the eyes of the latter as he sat on the ground, staunch-ing with a yellow sUk handkerchief the stream of life whichissued from his nose, was his venerated leader at some distance
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