It was quite true, I was much attached to the bloodthirsty old ruffian.

I do not know what was the charm of his character, but it had a charm; perhaps it was its fierce honesty and directness; perhaps one admired his almost superhuman skill and strength, or it may have been simply that he was so absolutely unique.

Frankly, with all my experience of savages, I never knew a man quite like him, he was so wise and yet such a child with it all; and though it seems laughable to say so, like the hero of the Yankee parody, he 'had a tender heart'.

Anyway, I was very fond of him, though I should never have thought of telling him so.
'Ay, old wolf,' I said, 'thine is a strange love.

Thou wouldst split me to the chin if I stood in thy path tomorrow.' 'Thou speakest truth, Macumazahn, that would I if it came in the way of duty, but I should love thee all the same when the blow had gone fairly home.