The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

As soon as the corporal had finished the story of his amour -- or rather my uncle Toby for him -- Mrs. Wadman silently sallied forth from her arbour, replaced the pin in her mob, pass'd the wicker-gate, and advanced slowly towards my uncle Toby's sentry-box: the disposition which Trim had made in my uncle Toby's mind, was too favourable a crisis to be let slipp'd -- -- -

-- -- The attack was determin'd upon: it was facilitated still more by my uncle Toby's having ordered the corporal to wheel off the pioneer's shovel, the spade, the pickaxe, the picquets, and other military stores which lay scatter'd upon the ground where Dunkirk stood -- the corporal had march'd -- the field was clear.