Did you ever know me to make a failure of anything that I attempted ?" "Yes, I have." "What ?" "You failed to get elected captain when we first came aboard of the ship." "That was only because we had just come on board?
the fellows didn't know me, and I didn't know them.

We are better acquainted now, and I am just as sure of success as though we had already won it," added Shuffles, confidently.

"I don't believe in making failures." "I don't believe there is more than one chance in ten for you to succeed," continued the sceptic.
"There isn't more than one chance in ten for us to fail.

You are a bird of evil omen.

You have no faith in anything; and if you are going to croak like this, I don't want you in the Chain," added Shuffles, petulantly.
"I'm in for it, already; and when I can see my way clearly, I shall be as strong as you are." "Then don't croak any more.