not withstand the momentum of the blow, which in an instant laid him
flat on the floor, deprived of all sense and motion; and Trunnion
hopped upstairs to dinner, applauding himself in ejaculations all
the way for the vengeance he had taken on such an impudent pettifogging
miscreant.

The attorney no sooner awaked from his trance, into which he had
been so unexpectedly killed, than he cast his eyes around in quest
of evidence, by which he might be enabled the more easily to prove
the injury he had sustained, but not a soul appearing, he made shift
to get upon his legs again, and, with the blood trickling over his
nose, followed one of the servants into the dining-room, resolved
to come to an explanation with the assailant, and either extort
money from him by way of satisfaction, or provoke him to a second
application before witnesses. With this view, he entered the room
in a peal of clamour, to the amazement of all present, and the
terror of Mrs. Trunnion, who shrieked at the appearance of such a
spectacle; and addressing himself to the commodore, "I'll tell you
what, sir," said he; "if there be law in England, I'll make you
smart for this here assault." You think you have screened yourself
from a prosecution by sending all your servants out of the way;
but that circumstance will appear upon trial to be a plain proof of
the malice prepense with which the fact was committed; especially
when corroborated by the evidence of this here letter, under your
own hand, whereby I am desired to come to your own house to transact
an affair of consequence. So he produced the writing, and read the
contents in these words:--

"Mr. Roger Ravine.
Sir,--Being in a manner prisoner in my own house, I desire