Bagg says that he stopped short, as suddenly as if he had heard the word halt, when marching at double quick time.

It was quite a surprise, he says, and he can't imagine how the fellow was so close upon him before he was aware.
He was an immense tall fellow--Bagg thinks at least two inches taller than himself--very well dressed in a blue coat and buff breeches for all the world like a squire when going out hunting.

Bagg, however, saw at once that he had a roguish air, and he was on his guard in a moment.
'Good evening to ye, sodger,' says the fellow, stepping close up to Bagg, and staring him in the face.

'Good evening to you, sir! I hope you are well,' says Bagg.

'You are looking after some one ?' says the fellow.
'Just so, sir,' says Bagg, and forthwith seized him by the collar; the man laughed, Bagg says it was such a strange awkward laugh.