Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

144 Pickwick Abroad. panion to accept the loan of a fine donkey to conduct him to Meurice’s hotel. ‘Vere noble animal, milor,” said the obsequious Frenchman: “he as well know road as diligence-horse himself. He go easy—he not bolt—he vere fine beast, indeed !” Mr. Pickwick, overcome by the insinuating arguments and eloquence of the interpreter, at length consented to accept the proffered loan, for which the sum_of five and twenty francs was duly exacted, when the animal made its appearance atthe door of the hotel. Mr. Pick- wick had, however, gone too far to recede: he accordingly paid the fee required by the interpreter, purchased a hat of the landlord,: and * mounted into the saddle with a species of desperate courage that did him infinite credit, and tends in no small degree to contribute to the increase of his reputation. ‘The interpreter, the host and hostess, and about fourteen dependants of the hotel, were marshalled at the door to witness his departure; and when, having taken leave of the multi- tude by a polite bow, the gallant ‘‘ horseman” pushed his donkey into a smart gallop, which was only introduced by sundry kicks on both sides, a loud huzza betokened the mirth of those he left behind, and, at the same time, materially accelerated the speed adopted by the in- teresting beast he bestrode. | Me Wossegta |. But let us hasten and bring this extraordinary episode to a conclu- sion. The clock at the magnificent palace of the Minister of Finance had struck the mystic hour of one, when a loud ring at the gate of Meurice’s hotel disturbed the porter in his lodge, Messieurs Tupman and Winkle in the coffee-room, and Mr. Samuel.Weller in the kitchen —each of the above-named gentlemen having anxiously awaited the — arrival of the lost: sheep. The gates were immediately opened with the least possible delay; and to the astonishment of those who crowded in the arch-way to welcome his.. return, Mr. Pickwick galloped into the court-yard ofthe hotel upon the noble donkey he had so prudently and sagaciously hired of the interpreter at Boulogne. Pea eS te | | eid) ure ei “Vell,” said Mr. Weller, while he assisted his master to alight, ‘‘ this is rayther too strong, as the duke observed ven they shoved him into the Malmesey butt.” | ee ‘Thank God you have come back safe and sound,” exclaimed Mr. Tupman, glancing first at Mr. Pickwick, and then at the donkey. — ‘“‘ Tf you had not returned to-night,” added Mr. Winkle, witha sob, ‘‘T’m sure I don’t know what I should have done. -My feelings had nearly overpowered me as it was.” ae | So indeed they had: for the excellent and good-hearted young man had found it necessary to make such frequent applications to a certain mixture called punch, in order to maintain any thing approaching to command over himself, that, in the eminently graphic and descriptive language of Mr. Weller, he was, at the identical moment of Mr. Pick- wick’s return, ‘ crying drunk ;”’ and in the wildness ofhis joy at so safe an arrival, he first embraced that gentleman, and then the ass which brought him, with a rapture that actually forced tears into the eyes of his venerable friend himself. Mr. Pickwick saw that he was beloved by his companions-—he was not jealous of the notice thus bestowed on the interpreter’s donkey—his mind scorned to entertain so selfiso CORNIELOOO KS, (EO)