On the day named in the warrant, it being between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, Mr. Elias Simmons was in the little back parlour at the tavern aforesaid, luxuriating as aforesaid, and several other gentlemen, then and there assembled, were luxuriating in like manner, when the door opened, and in stalked Mr. Jacques Breton; who, having seated himself, rang the bell and ordered his sherry and water as usual. Now it so happened that Mr. Jacques Breton was indebted to Mr. Elias Simmons in the sum of two shillings and sixpence; and, moreover, the said debt had been standing almost time immemorial, so that Mr. Elias Simmons was weary of waiting for it; and, as it was a "_debt of honour_," he began to entertain doubts that Mr. Jacques Breton meant to avail himself of that circumstance, and _forget_ to pay it. He did not presume to say that such was the case, but he entertained that opinion; and the moment he saw Mr. Jacques Breton enter the room, he determined in his own mind to put it to the proof. Howbeit, knowing Mr. Jacques Breton's constitutional irascibility, and unwilling to wound his feelings before the English gentlemen present, he addressed him in French, viz., "_Monsieur--voulez-vous--donner moi--mon leetel demiécu, monsieur?_" To which civil interrogation--put with all the good humour in the world--Mr. Jacques Breton instantly replied, "_Ahah! sacré! vat? you want to 'front me!_"--and seizing a heavy _cue_ from a bagatelle board on the table, he grasped it in both hands, and, before the company could interfere, he gave Mr. Elias Simmons a "thundering _thwack_" on the bare head, which shivered his tobacco-pipe into a thousand pieces, and laid him prostrate among the spittoons! For this outrageous and totally unanticipated attack, Mr. Elias Simmons now sought redress from the laws of that country in which he has the honour of sojourning. The magistrate having strictly inquired whether no other provocation had been given, and having been assured there had not, asked Mr. Jacques Breton what he had to say in excuse for such violence? Mr. Jacques Breton prepared for his defence by throwing back his head and lifting up the black silk handkerchief before-mentioned; and having placed himself in this unpicturesque position, he began--"_Ahah! monsieur_--see--he broke my eye! _Voilà, monsieur!_ see my eye! _Voilà!_" It was very evident that beneath his black handkerchief he had a dreadful black eye, and the magistrate asked how he came by it? The witnesses replied that it was done in disarming him of the _cue_, whilst complainant was still sprawling among the spittoons. Mr. Jacques Breton proceeded with his defence. "I vas ver much vex at Monsieur Simmon," said he, "because I vood pay ven it satisfied myself. I vas so mush up--vat you call d--n angry, dat de taut come I vood punise him, ahah. But, monsieur, de _strike_ vas not sufficient to murder von littel--von vara littel fly!"