"It never went off" -- you will catch the drift.

In less than no time, this ditty became popular; and when Tartarin
came by, the longshoremen and the little shoeblacks before his door
sang in chorus --

"Muster Jarvey's roifle
Allus gittin' chaarged;
Muster Jarvey's roifle
'il hev to git enlaarged;
Muster Jarvey's roifle's
Loaded oft -- don't scoff;
Muster Jarvey's roifle
Nivver do go off!"

But it was shouted out from a safe distance, on account of the
double muscles.

Oh, the fragility of Tarascon's fads!

The great object himself feigned to see and hear nothing; but, under
the surface, this sullen and venomous petty warfare much afflicted
him. He felt aware that Tarascon was slipping out of his grip, and
that popular favour was going to others; and this made him suffer
horribly.

Ah, the huge bowl of popularity! it's all very well to have a seat in
front of it, but what a scalding you catch when it is overturned!

Notwithstanding his pain, Tartarin smiled and peacefully jogged on