Mr. Tupman was quite affected by his friends' anxiety for his
welfare, but any demonstration was nipped in the bud by Mr.
Pickwick's insisting on Mr. Tupman finishing his delicate repast
first. At the conclusion thereof, Mr. Pickwick, "having refreshed
himself with a copious draft of ale," conducted poor Tracy to the
churchyard opposite, and pacing to and fro eventually combated his
companion's resolution with a successfully eloquent appeal to him
once again to join his friends.

On their way back to the inn, Mr. Pickwick made that great discovery
"which had been the pride and boast of his friends, and the envy of
every antiquarian in this or any other country," of a small broken
stone, partially buried in the ground in front of a cottage door,
which, as everybody knows, bore the inscription:

- | -
B I L S T
U M
P S H I
S.M.
A R K

The exultation and joy of the Pickwickians knew no bounds and
they carefully carried the important stone into the inn, where Mr.
Pickwick's eyes sparkled with a delight as he sat and gloated over
the treasure he had discovered, the detailed adventure with which
need not be related here. Having carefully packed his prize, its
discovery and the happy meeting were duly celebrated in an evening
of festivity and conversation.