It was unavailing; he extended his arm towards them, and made another violent effort.

There was a rattling noise in the throat--a glare of the eye--a short stifled groan--and he fell back--dead!' It would afford us the highest gratification to be enabled to record Mr.
Pickwick's opinion of the foregoing anecdote.

We have little doubt that we should have been enabled to present it to our readers, but for a most unfortunate occurrence.
Mr.Pickwick had replaced on the table the glass which, during the last few sentences of the tale, he had retained in his hand; and had just made up his mind to speak--indeed, we have the authority of Mr.
Snodgrass's note-book for stating, that he had actually opened his mouth--when the waiter entered the room, and said-- 'Some gentlemen, Sir.' It has been conjectured that Mr.Pickwick was on the point of delivering some remarks which would have enlightened the world, if not the Thames, when he was thus interrupted; for he gazed sternly on the waiter's countenance, and then looked round on the company generally, as if seeking for information relative to the new-comers.
'Oh!' said Mr.Winkle, rising, 'some friends of mine--show them in.
Very pleasant fellows,' added Mr.Winkle, after the waiter had retired--'officers of the 97th, whose acquaintance I made rather oddly this morning.

You will like them very much.' Mr.Pickwick's equanimity was at once restored.

The waiter returned, and ushered three gentlemen into the room.
'Lieutenant Tappleton,' said Mr.Winkle, 'Lieutenant Tappleton, Mr.
Pickwick--Doctor Payne, Mr.Pickwick--Mr.Snodgrass you have seen before, my friend Mr.Tupman, Doctor Payne--Doctor Slammer, Mr.
Pickwick--Mr.Tupman, Doctor Slam--' Here Mr.Winkle suddenly paused; for strong emotion was visible on the countenance both of Mr.Tupman and the doctor.
'I have met THIS gentleman before,' said the Doctor, with marked emphasis.
'Indeed!' said Mr.Winkle.
'And--and that person, too, if I am not mistaken,' said the doctor, bestowing a scrutinising glance on the green-coated stranger.