at every thing was right at his fortifications--in the lane
separated from the bowling-green with flowering shrubs and holly--he
espied his Bridget.

As the corporal thought there was nothing in the world so well worth
shewing as the glorious works which he and my uncle Toby had made, Trim
courteously and gallantly took her by the hand, and led her in: this was
not done so privately, but that the foul-mouth'd trumpet of Fame carried
it from ear to ear, till at length it reach'd my father's, with this
untoward circumstance along with it, that my uncle Toby's curious
draw-bridge, constructed and painted after the Dutch fashion, and
which went quite across the ditch--was broke down, and somehow or other
crushed all to pieces that very night.

My father, as you have observed, had no great esteem for my uncle Toby's
hobby-horse; he thought it the most ridiculous horse that ever gentleman
mounted; and indeed unless my uncle Toby vexed him about it, could never
think of it once, without smiling at it--so that it could never get lame
or happen any mischance, but it tickled my father's imagination beyond
measure; but this being an accident much more to his humour than any
one which had yet befall'n it, it proved an inexhaustible fund of
entertainment to him--Well--but dear Toby! my father would say, do tell
me seriously how this affair of the bridge happened.--How can you teaze
me so much about it? my uncle Toby would reply--I have told it you
twenty times, word for word as Trim told it me.--Prithee, how was it
then, corporal? my father would cry, turning to Trim.--It was a mere
misfortune, an' please your honour;--I was shewing Mrs. Bridget
our fortifications, and in going too near the edge of the fosse, I
unfortunately slipp'd in--Very well, Trim! my father would cry--(smiling
mysteriously, and giving a nod--but without interrupting him)--and being
link'd fast, an' please your honour, arm in arm with Mrs. Bridget, I
dragg'd her after me, by means of which she fell backwards soss against
the bridge--and Trim's foot (my uncle Toby would cry, taking the story
out of his mouth) getting into the cuvette, he tumbled full against the
bridge too.--It was a thousand to one, my uncle Toby would add, that
the poor fellow did not break his leg.--Ay truly, my father would say--a
limb is soon broke, brother Toby, in such encounters.--And so, an'
please your honour, the bridge, which your honour knows was a very
slight one, was broke down b