He now turned slowly in his saddle, and said: "As it was, the poor devil was very nearly despatched.

Long Ned was making short work with him, if I had not interposed!" "And why did you ?" said Ned.
"Because I will have no killing; it is the curse of the noble art of our profession to have passionate professors like thee." "Passionate!" repeated Ned.

"Well, I am a little choleric, I own it; but that is not so great a fault on the road as it would be in housebreaking.

I don't know a thing that requires so much coolness and self-possession as cleaning out a house from top to bottom,--quietly and civilly, mind you!" "That is the reason, I suppose, then," said Augustus, "that you altogether renounced that career.

Your first adventure was house breaking, I think I have heard you say.