Burlesques William Makepeace Thackeray

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the plumes of his helmet mingled with the mane of his charger, which backed to the other
end of the lists; then galloping back to the place where Jemimarann was seated, he begged
her to place it on his helmet. The poor girl blushed very much, and did so. As all the people
were applauding, Tagrag rushed up, and, laying his hand on the Baron's shoulder,
whispered something in his ear, which made the other very angry, I suppose, for he shook
him off violently. "Chacun pour soi," says he, "Monsieur de Taguerague,"—which means, I
am told, "Every man for himself." And then he rode away, throwing his lance in the air,
catching it, and making his horse caper and prance, to the admiration of all beholders.
After this came the "Passage of Arms." Tagrag and the Baron ran courses against the other
champions; ay, and unhorsed two apiece; whereupon the other three refused to turn out; and
preciously we laughed at them, to be sure!
"Now, it's OUR turn, Mr. CHICOT," says Tagrag, shaking his fist at the Baron: "look to
yourself, you infernal mountebank, for, by Jupiter, I'll do my best!" And before Jemmy and
the rest of us, who were quite bewildered, could say a word, these two friends were
charging away, spears in hand, ready to kill each other. In vain Jemmy screamed; in vain I
threw down my truncheon: they had broken two poles before I could say "Jack Robinson,"
and were driving at each other with the two new ones. The Baron had the worst of the first
course, for he had almost been carried out of his saddle. "Hark you, Chicot!" screamed out
Tagrag, "next time look to your head!" And next time, sure enough, each aimed at the head
of the other.
Tagrag's spear hit the right place; for it carried off the Baron's helmet, plume, rose-wreath
and all; but his Excellency hit truer still—his lance took Tagrag on the neck, and sent him
to the ground like a stone.
"He's won! he's won!" says Jemmy, waving her handkerchief; Jemimarann fainted, Lady
Blanche screamed, and I felt so sick that I thought I should drop. All the company were in
an uproar: only the Baron looked calm, and bowed very gracefully, and kissed his hand to
Jemmy; when, all of a sudden, a Jewish-looking man springing over the barrier, and
followed by three more, rushed towards the Baron. "Keep the gate, Bob!" he holloas out.
"Baron, I arrest you, at the suit of Samuel Levison, for—"
But he never said for what; shouting out, "Aha!" and "Sapprrrristie!" and I don't know
what, his Excellency drew his sword, dug his spurs into his horse, and was over the poor
bailiff, and off before another word. He had threatened to run through one of the bailiff's
followers, Mr. Stubbs, only that gentleman made way for him; and when we took up the
bailiff, and brought him round by the aid of a little brandy-and-water, he told us all. "I had a
writ againsht him, Mishter Coxsh, but I didn't vant to shpoil shport; and, beshidesh, I didn't
know him until dey knocked off his shteel cap!"