Freiburger historische Bestände - digital

— 35 —

„Most of these military men are", observed Mr. Snodgrass
calmly; „but so are you, an't you?':

Mr. Winkle replied in the affirmative, and perceiving
that he had not alarmed his companion sufficiently, changed
his ground. „Snodgrass1', 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 (P. C. I K. 2, S. 37)____

,,Have you got everything ?" said Mr. Winkle in an agi-
tated tone.

„Ev'rything, replied Mr. Snodgrass; „plenty of ammunition,
in case the shots don't take effect" (S. 38).....

Wer Mr. Snodgrass kennt, dem wird dessen eigenartiges
Verhalten in diesem Falle auffallen, und es ist sehr wahrscheinlich
, dass Dickens diesen jungen Mann hier so handeln
liess, um eines Effektes willen, wie ihn Smollett mit einem
ähnlichen Verhalten des Mr. Pipes erzielte, was aus dessen
Zwiegespräch mit Mr. Pallet ersichtlich ist (P. P. I. K. 63,
S. 286):

„Mr. Pipes", said the painter with disordered accent,
„methinks the doctor was in a pestilent hurry with that
message of his."

„Ey, ey", answered Tom, „I do suppose he longs to be
foul of you."

„What", replied the other, „d'ye think he thirsts after
my blood?"

„To be sure a does", said Pipes ....

Tom observing Iiis emotion, eyed him with a trown of
indignation, saying, „Jou an't afraid, are you?"

„God forbid!" replied the challenger, stammering with
fear, „What should I be afraid of? The worst he can do
is to take my life, and then he'll be answerable both to God
and man for the murder. Don't you think he will?"

„I think no such matter", answered the second; „if so
be as how he puts a brace of bullets through your bows, and

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