I made many apologies, and tried to get off, for I know'd I had a man to run against who could speak prime.

And I know'd, too that I wasn't able to cut and thrust with him.

He was there, and knowing my ignorance as well as I did myself, he urged me to make a speech.

The truth is, he thought my being a candidate was a mere matter of sport, and didn't think for a moment that he was in any danger from an ignorant back woods bear-hunter.
"But I found I couldn't get off.

So I determined to go ahead, and leave it to chance what I should say.