vein; and in a few minutes he returned with our opponent, Mr Ebenezer
Pleggit. We stripped Mr Cophagus, and proceeded to examine him. "Bad
case this--very bad case indeed, Mr Newland--dislocation of the os
humeri--severe contusion on the os frontis--and I'm very much afraid
there is some intercostal injury. Very sorry, very sorry, indeed, for my
brother Cophagus." But Mr Pleggit did not appear to be sorry; on the
contrary, he appeared to perform his surgical duties with the greatest
glee.

We reduced the dislocation, and then carried Mr Cophagus up to his bed.
In an hour he was sensible, and Mr Pleggit took his departure, shaking
hands with Mr Cophagus, and wishing him joy of his providential escape.

"Bad job, Japhet," said Mr Cophagus to me.

"Very bad indeed, sir; but it might have been worse."

"Worse--um--no, nothing worse--not possible."

"Why, sir, you might have been killed."

"Pooh!--didn't mean that--mean Pleggit--rascal--um--kill me if he
can--sha'n't though--soon get rid of him--and so on."

"You will not require his further attendance now that your shoulder is
reduced. I can very well attend upon you."

"Very true, Japhet;--but won't go--sure of that--damned rascal--quite
pleased--I saw it--um--eyes twinkled--smile checked--and so on."