"Let go, sir!" said Sam. "Don"t you hear the governor a-callin"? Let go, sir !"With a violent effort, Mr. Weller disengaged himself from the grasp of the agonized Pickwickian, and in so doing administered a considerable impetus to the unhappy Mr. Winkle. With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have ensured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the centre of the reel, at the very moment when Mr. Bob Sawyer was performing a flourish of unparalleled beauty. Mr. Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash they both fell heavily. Mr. Pickwick ran to the spot. Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr. Winkle was far too wise to do anything of the kind on skates. He was seated on the ice, making spasmodic efforts to smile; but anguish was depicted on every lineament of his face.
"Are you hurt?" inquired Mr. Benjamin Allen, with great anxiety.
"Not much," said Mr. Winkle, rubbing his back very hard. Mr. Pickwick was excited and indignant. He beckoned toMr. Weller, and said in a stern voice: "Take his skates off." "No, but really, I had scarcely begun," remonstrated Mr.
Winkle.
"Take his skates off," repeated Mr. Pickwick, firmly.
The command was not to be resisted. Mr. Winkle allowed Sam to obey it in silence.
"Lift him up," said Mr. Pickwick. Sam assisted him to rise. Mr. Pickwick retired a few paces apart from the by- standers; and, beckoning his friend to approach, fixed a searching look upon him, and uttered in a low but distinct and emphatic tone these remarkable words: "You"re a humbug,sir."
"A what?" said Mr. Winkle, starting.
"A humbug, sir. I shall speak plainer, if you wish it. An impostor, sir." With those words, Mr. Pickwick turned slowly on his heel, and rejoined his friends.
Charles Dicxens, in Pickwick Papers.
Author.-Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the most famous of English novelists. He was poor as a boy, and was self-educated. As a youth, he became a lawyer"s clerk, then a journalist. His keen observation and wide sympathy make him popular as a novelist. Among his works are David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, The Pickwick Papers, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, The Old Curiosity Shop, Great Expectations, Martin Chuzzlewit, Our Mutual Friend, The Mystery Edwin Drood (unfinished).
Charles Dickons.
General Notes.-Nathaniel Winkle, in The Pickwick Papers, was a young Cockney sportsman, believed by his companions to be a dead shot, a mighty hunter, a skilful skater, etc., but these accomplishments were imaginary. What does the story reveal of his character? What traits distinguish each of the other persons in the story? You will need to read the whole book to answer this question fully. In this part of the story, Mr. Pickwick and his three companions are guests at a Christmas party at Mr. Wardle"s home in the country. Sam Weller is Mr. Pickwick"s servant.
LESSON 8
AN INCIDENT OF THE FRENCH CAmp
You know, we French stormed Ratisbon: A mile or so away,On a little mound, Napoleon Stood on our storming-day;With neck out-thrust, you fancy how, Legs wide, arms locked behind,As if to balance the prone brow Oppressive with its mind.
Just as perhaps he mused, "My plans That soar, to earth may fall,Let once my army-leader Lannes Waver at yonder wall," -Out "twixt the battery-smokes there flew A rider, bound on boundFull-galloping; nor bridle drew Until he reached the mound.
Then off there flung in smiling joy,
And held himself erect
By just his horse"s mane, a boy: You hardly could suspect-(So tight he kept his lips compressed, Scarce any blood came through) -You looked twice ere you saw his breast Was all but shot in two.
"Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God"s grace We"ve got you Ratisbon!
The Marshal"s in the market-place, And you"ll be there anonTo see your flag-bird flap his vans
Where I, to heart"s desire,
Perched him ! " The chief"s eye flashed; his plansSoared up again like fire.
The chief "s eye flashed; but presently
Softened itself, as sheathes
A film the mother-eagle"s eye
When her bruised eaglet breathes; "You"re wounded!" "Nay," the soldier"s prideTouched to the quick, he said,
"I"m killed, Sire!" And, his chief beside, Smiling the boy fell dead.
-Robert Browning.
Author.-Robert Browning (1812-1889) is considered one of the greatest of modern English poets, Many of his best-known poems describe happenings in the lives of men and women, and often some intensely dramatic dialogue is included in the story. Find in this book other poems by Browning and note the use of dialogue in them also.
General Notes.-This story of a brave young French soldier is true.
Ratisbon is the former name of Regensburg, a town on the Danube in Germany. It was besieged by Napoleon in 1809; one of the French marshals was Jean Lannes. Flag-bird-the French flag in Napoleon"s time bore a representation of an eagle.
LESSON 9
BRANDINg CATTlE
The afternoon was half-way through, and most of the smaller calves were branded. So far no ropes had been used, for the boys were so skilful that they were able to throw an ordinary calf with one hand and hold it on the ground in such a way that it could not move while the brand was being applied. The blacks love these hand- to-hand tussles, and everybody in the yards was in high good humour; but, as the youngest calves were all done and the yearlings also, it became a test of real strength and skill to tackle some of the older stock. There were one or two failures which raised shouts of laughter at the expense of the unfortunate black, who had either missed his hold or been rolled in the sand; but nothing serious happened, for Dick and Jim were on the watch and always came to the rescue at the critical time.
