Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 178: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

140 PICKWICK ABROAD. Tupman to have done so, might be pardonable :—but—” and Mr Winkle, with a very pale face, held his peace. Mr. Pickewick did not deliberate another moment. Ile was deter- mined not to be killed in a hackney-coach to please anybody; he accordingly put his head out of the window, and peremptorily com- manded his domestic to cause the vehicle to be immediately stopped. His orders were instantly obeyed—the door was opened—snd Mr Pickwick leapt lightly out of the coach into the middle of the road. ** Sam," said Mr, Pickwick hastily. “Sir,” replied that gentleman with the usual touch of the hat. 3 “Get into the coach,” cried Mr. Pickwick. “I am going te rive.” “You, Sir!” exclaimed Mr. Weller, in the most unfeigned astonish- ment. ** Yes—I, Sir,” returned Mr. Pickwick in a tone which .plainly de-. monstrated that he was serious. Mr. Weller did not venture another remonstrance: he merely advised his master ‘‘ to vhip the osses vell, as they vouldn’t bolloa,” and jumped into the place that had just been relinquished by Mr. Pickwick, when he again gave vent to his feelings in certain audible expressions of wonder and discontent. Thus far had Mr. Pickwick succeeded in accomplishing the aim he had in view. It however remained for him to prevail upon the coach- man to descend from his airy situation on the box, and also accept of a seat in the interior of the vehicle. This object was speedily effected through the sagacious medtum of certain jerks at the driver's great- coat, and a perfect encyclopeedia of signs, by which Mr. Pickwick eventually succeeded in making known his intentions and wishes. The Frenchman had indeed imbibed somewhat too liberally of the excellent fluids with which “r. Weller had generously regaled him at Legriel’s ; and without giving himself much trouble to consider the motives of Mr. Pickwick’s proceedings, he slowly relinquished posses- sion of the dickey, and conveyed his person to the more commodious place humanely provided for him by the fears of that humane gentle- man. With « smile of triumph that would not have shamed a Cesar when he had worsted a Pompey, did Mr. Pickwick gather up the whip and reins, and ascend to that eminence whence he had so prudently dislodged the coachman and Mr. Weller. Crack went the whi round went the wheels—and the horses put as much energy into their movements, as the lameness of the one and the vicious inclinations of the other would permit. But, alas! scarcely had the equipage entered the Bois de Boulogne, when a violent hail-storm took the liberty of pelting on Mr. Pickwick’s person as well &s upon the common things around ; and while that :llustrious gentleman essayed to button up his coat across his breast, and thus partially to defend himself against the inclemency of the weather, his hat and whip took a sudden and unex- pected leave of him at the same time. Now it happened, that when Mr. Pickwick stopped the vehicle to alight and look after his property, which seemed to be any thing but disposed to look after him, the coachman and Mr. Weller were fast asleep inside; and it was also a fact that Messieurs Tupman and Winkle, upon enquiring ‘‘ what was the matter!” were desired by OO a S 5} a cS Co