′Snodgrass, my dear fellow, can I rely upon your secrecy?′ As he said this, he most devoutly and earnestly hoped he could not.
′You can,′ replied Mr. Snodgrass. ′Hear me swear—′
′No, no,′ interrupted Winkle, terrified at the idea of his companion′s unconsciously pledging himself not to give information; ′don′t swear, don′t swear; it′s quite unnecessary.′
Mr. Snodgrass dropped the hand which he had, in the spirit of poesy, raised towards the clouds as he made the above appeal, and assumed an attitude of attention.
′I want your assistance, my dear fellow, in an affair of honour,′ said Mr. Winkle.
′You shall have it,′ replied Mr. Snodgrass, clasping his friend′s hand.
′With a doctor—Doctor Slammer, of the 97th,′ said Mr. Winkle, wishing to make the matter appear as solemn as possible; ′an affair with an officer, seconded by another officer, at sunset this evening, in a lonely field beyond Fort Pitt.′
′I will attend you,′ said Mr. Snodgrass.
He was astonished, but by no means dismayed. It is extraordinary how cool any party but the principal can be in such cases. Mr. Winkle had forgotten this. He had judged of his friend′s feelings by his own.
′The consequences may be dreadful,′ said Mr. Winkle.
′I hope not,′ said Mr. Snodgrass.
′The doctor, I believe, is a very good shot,′ said Mr. Winkle.
′Most of these military men are,′ observed Mr. Snodgrass calmly; ′but so are you, ain′t you?′ Mr. Winkle replied in the affirmative; and perceiving that he had not alarmed his companion sufficiently, changed his ground.
′Snodgrass,′ he said, in a voice tremulous with emotion, ′if I fall, you will find in a packet which I shall place in your hands a note for my— for my father.′
This attack was a failure also. Mr. Snodgrass was affected, but he undertook the delivery of the note as readily as if he had been a twopenny postman.
′If I fall,′ said Mr. Winkle, ′or if the doctor falls, you, my dear friend, will be tried as an accessory before the fact. Shall I involve my friend in transportation—possibly for life!′ Mr. Snodgrass winced a little at this, but his heroism was invincible. ′In the cause of friendship,′ he fervently exclaimed, ′I would brave all dangers.′
How Mr. Winkle cursed his companion′s devoted friendship internally, as they walked silently along, side by side, for some minutes, each immersed in his own meditations! The morning was wearing away; he grew desperate.
′Snodgrass,′ he said, stopping suddenly, ′do not let me be balked in this matter—do not give information to the local authorities—do not obtain the assistance of several peace officers, to take either me or Doctor Slammer, of the 97th Regiment, at present quartered in Chatham Barracks, into custody, and thus prevent this duel!—I say, do not.′
Mr. Snodgrass seized his friend′s hand warmly, as he enthusiastically replied, ′Not for worlds!′
A thrill passed over Mr. Winkle′s frame as the conviction that he had nothing to hope from his friend′s fears, and that he was destined to become an animated target, rushed forcibly upon him.
The state of the case having been formally explained to Mr. Snodgrass, and a case of satisfactory pistols, with the satisfactory accompaniments of powder, ball, and caps, having been hired from a manufacturer in Rochester, the two friends returned to their inn; Mr.
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