Slammer at once recognized him as the wearer of the blue
dress suit. The doctor flew into a rage and only the statement of his
fellow officer, that Jingle was not a gentleman, but a strolling actor
far beneath the doctor's dignity, prevented an encounter. As it was,
Slammer stumped off in anger, leaving the Pickwickians to enjoy the
evening in their own way.

II

TUPMAN HAS A LOVE-AFFAIR WITH A SPINSTER, AND
THE PICKWICKIANS FIND OUT THE REAL
CHARACTER OF JINGLE

Next day a military drill was held just outside the town and the
Pickwickians went to see it. In the confusion of running officers and
prancing horses they became separated from one another. Mr. Pickwick,
Snodgrass and Winkle found themselves between two lines of troops, in
danger of being run down. At this moment they saw Tupman standing in an
open carriage near by and, hurrying to it, were hoisted in.

The carriage belonged to a short, stout old gentleman named Wardle who
had attended some of the club's meetings in London and knew Mr. Pickwick
by sight. He lived at a place near by called Dingley Dell, from which he
had driven to see the drill, with his old maid sister and his own two
pretty daughters. Fastened behind was a big hamper of lunch and on the
box was a fat boy named Joe, whom Mr. Wardle kept as a curiosity because
he did nothing but eat and sleep. Joe went on errands fast asleep and
snored as he waited on the table. He had slept all through the roaring
of the cannon and the old gentleman had to pinch him awake to serve the
luncheon.

They had a merry time that day, Tupman being deeply smitten with the
charms of the elderly Miss Wardle, and Snodgrass no less in love with
Emily, one of the pretty daughters. When the review was over the old
gentleman invited them all to visit Dingley Dell next day.

Early in the morning they set out, Mr. Pickwick driving Tupman and
Snodgrass in a chaise, while Winkle rode on horseback to uphold his
reputation as a sportsman. Mr. Pickwick was distrustful of the horse he
hired, but the hostler assured him that even a wagon-load of monkeys
with their tails burnt off would not make him shy.

Winkle had never ridden a horse before, but he was ashamed to admit it.

For a while all went well; then the luckless Winkle dropped his whip and
when he dismounted the horse would not let him mount again. Mr. Pickwick
got out of the chaise to help, and at this the animal jerked the bridle
away