“Never mind touching your hat, Sam,” said Mr. Winkle, hastily. “You needn’t take your hand away, to do that. I meant to have given you five shillings this morning for a Christmas box, Sam. I’ll give it you this afternoon, Sam.” “You’re wery good, Sir,” replied Mr. Weller. “Just hold me at first, Sam; will you?” said Mr. Winkle. “There—that’s right. I shall soon get in the way of it, Sam. Not too fast, Sam; not too fast.” Mr. Winkle, stooping forward, with his body half doubled up, was being assisted over the ice by Mr. Weller, in a very singular and un-swan-like manner, when Mr. Pickwick most innocently shouted from the opposite bank— “Sam!” “Sir?” said Mr. Weller. “Here. I want you.” “Let go, Sir,” said Sam. “Don’t you hear the governor a callin’? Let go, Sir.” [Illustration] With a violent effort, Mr. Weller disengaged himself from the grasp of the agonized Pickwickian; and, in so doing, administered a considerable impetus to the unhappy Mr. Winkle. With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have insured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the centre of the reel, at the very moment when Mr. Bob Sawyer was performing a flourish of unparalleled beauty. Mr. Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash they both fell heavily down. Mr. Pickwick ran to the spot. Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr. Winkle was far too wise to do anything of the kind in skaits. He was seated on the ice, making spasmodic efforts to smile; but anguish was depicted on every lineament of his countenance. “Are you hurt?” inquired Mr. Benjamin Allen, with great anxiety. “Not much,” said Mr. Winkle, rubbing his back very hard. “I wish you’d let me bleed you,” said Mr. Benjamin with great eagerness. “No, thank you,” replied Mr. Winkle, hurriedly. “I really think you had better,” said Allen. “Thank you,” replied Mr. Winkle; “I’d rather not.” “What do _you_ think, Mr. Pickwick?” inquired Bob Sawyer. Mr. Pickwick was excited and indignant. He beckoned to Mr. Weller, and said in a stern voice, “Take his skaits off.” “No; but really I had scarcely begun,” remonstrated Mr. Winkle. “Take his skaits off,” repeated Mr. Pickwick firmly. The command was not to be resisted. Mr. Winkle allowed Sam to obey it, in silence. “Lift him up,” said Mr. Pickwick. Sam assisted him to rise. Mr. Pickwick retired a few paces apart from the bystanders; and, beckoning his friend to approach, fixed a searching look upon him, and uttered in a low, but distinct and emphatic tone, these remarkable words: “You’re a humbug, Sir.” “A what!” said Mr. Winkle, starting. “A humbug, Sir. I will speak plainer, if you wish it. An impostor, Sir.” With these words, Mr. Pickwick turned slowly on his heel, and rejoined his friends.