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.'