He was an amateur at manly sports.

He rejoiced in his muscular strength, and, in many a tavern brawl and midnight riot of his own provoking, had proved the fallacy of the proverb which teaches that a bully is always a coward.

He had the tenacity of a bulldog--once let him get his teeth in his adversary, and he would hold on till he died.

In fact he was, as far as personal vigour went, a Gabbett with the education of a prize-fighter; and, in a personal encounter between two men of equal courage, science tells more than strength.

In the struggle, however, that was now taking place, science seemed to be of little value.