Captain, yours were our "End it! no time like the present! disgrace! No delay, begin and finish! Stand back, leave the pair a space! Let civilians be instructed; henceforth simply ply the pen, Fly the sword! This clerk 's no swordsman! Suit him with a pistol, then! 130 Even odds! A dozen paces 'twixt the most and least expert Make a dwarf a giant's equal: nay, the dwarf, if he 's alert, Likelier hits the broader target!" Up we stood accordingly. As they handed me the weapon, such was my soul's thirst to try Then and there conclusions with this bully, tread on and stamp out 135 Every spark of his existence, that,-crept close to, curled about By that toying, tempting, teazing fool - forefinger's middle joint, Don't you guess?—the trigger yielded. Gone my chance! and at the point Of such prime success moreover: scarce an inch above his head Went my ball to hit the wainscot. He was living, I was dead. 140 Up he marched in flaming triumph-'t was his right, mind!up, within Just an arm's-length. "Now, my clerkling," chuckled Cocky with a grin As the levelled piece quite touched me. "Now, Sir Counting-House, repeat That expression which I told you proved bad manners! Did I cheat?" "Cheat you did, you knew you cheated, and, this moment, know as well. 145 As for me, my homely breeding bids you-fire and go to hell!" Twice the muzzle touched my forehead. flurried wrist, Heavy barrel, Either spoils a steady lifting. Thrice: then, "Laugh at hell who list, I can't! God's no fable, either. Did this boy's eye wink once? No! There's no standing him and hell and God all three against me,-so, I did cheat!" 150 And down he threw the pistol, out rushed-by the door Possibly, but, as for knowledge if by chimney, roof, or floor, He effected disappearance-I 'll engage no glance was sent That way by a single starer, such a blank astonishment Swallowed up the senses: as for speaking-mute they stood as mice. 155 Mute not long, though! Such reaction, such a hubbub in. a trice! "Rogue and rascal! Who'd have thought it? What's to be expected next, When His Majesty's Commission serves a sharper as pre text For-but where 's the need of wasting time now? Nought requires delay: Punishment the Service cries for; let disgrace be wiped away 160 Publicly, in good broad daylight! Resignation? No, in deed! Drum and fife must play the Rogue's March, rank and file be free to speed Tardy marching on the rogue's part by appliance in the rear Kicks administered shall right this wronged civilian,―never fear, Mister Clive-for-though a clerk--you bore yourself--suppose we say— Just as would beseem a soldier !" First, one word!" 165 "Gentlemen, attention-pray! I passed each speaker severally in review. When I had precise their number, names, and styles, and fully knew Over whom my supervision thenceforth must extend--why, then, "Some five minutes since, my life lay-as you all saw, gen tlemen, 170 At the mercy of your friend there. Not a single voice was raised In arrest of judgment, not one tongue-before my powder blazed Ventured, Can it be the youngster blundered, really seemed to mark Some irregular proceeding? We conjecture in the dark, Guess at random,-still, for sake of fair play-what if for a freak, 175 In a fit of absence, such things have been !—if our friend proved weak— What's the phrase? — corrected fortune! Look into the case, at least!' Who dared interpose between the altar's victim and the priest? Yet he spared me! You eleven! Whosoever, all or each, Utters to the disadvantage of the man who spared mespeech 180 To his face, behind his back,-that speaker has to do with me; 49 Me who promise, if positions change and mine the chance should be, Not to imitate your friend and waive advantage!" Twenty-five Years ago this matter happened and 't is certain,' added Clive, : 184 'Never, to my knowledge, did Sir Cocky have a single breath Breathed against him; lips were closed throughout his life, or since his death, For if he be dead or living I can tell no more than you. All I know is-Cocky had one chance more; how he used it,-grew Out of such unlucky habits, or relapsed, and back again 189 Brought the late-ejected devil with a score more in his train,That's for you to judge. Reprieval I procured, at any rate. Ugh the memory of that minute's fear makes gooseflesh rise! Why prate - Longer? You've my story, there's your instance: fear I did, you see!' 'Well'—I hardly kept from laughing--'if I see it, thanks must be Wholly to your lordship's candour. Not that-in a common case 195 When a bully caught at cheating thrusts a pistol in one's face, I should underrate, believe me, such a trial to the nerve! 'T is no joke, at one-and-twenty, for a youth to stand nor swerve: Fear I naturally look for-unless, of all men alive, 199 I am forced to make exception when I come to Robert Clive, Since at Arcot, Plassy, elsewhere, he and death--the whole world knows— Came to somewhat closer quarters.' Quarters? Had we come to blows, Clive and I, you had not wondered-up he sprang so, out he rapped Such a round of oaths-no matter! I'll endeavour to adapt To our modern usage words he-well, 't was friendly license -flung At me like so many fire-balls, fast as he could wag 205 his tongue. 'You-a soldier? You-at Plassy? Yours the faculty to nick Instantaneously occasion when your foe, if lightning quick, At his mercy, at his malice, has you, through some stupid That needs courage you 'll concede me. Then, look here! Suppose the man, Checking his advance, his weapon still extended, not a span Distant from my temple,-curse him!-quietly had bade me "There! Keep your life, calumniator!--worthless life I freely spare : Mine you freely would have taken-murdered me and my good fame 215 Both at once-and all the better! Go, and thank your own bad aim Which permits me to forgive you !" What if, with such words as these, He had cast away his weapon? How should I have borne me, please? Nay, I'll spare you pains and tell you. This, and only this, remained 219 Pick his weapon up and use it on myself. I so had gained Sleep the earlier, leaving England probably to pay on still Rent and taxes for half India, tenant at the Frenchman's will.' |