One of the men frightened me by saying, 'By Gearge! I'll in with you into a gig, and off with you after that ther' faller.' He pretended to mean it, and started up.

I watched him without flinching.

He remarked that if I 'had not cut my lucky from school, and tossed my cap for a free life, he was -- --' whatever may be expressed by a slap on the thigh.

We played a single-wicket side game, he giving me six runs, and crestfallen he was to find himself beaten; but, as I let him know, one who had bowled to Heriot for hours and stood against Saddlebank's bowling, was a tough customer, never mind his age.
This man offered me his friendship.

He made me sit and eat beside him at the afternoon dinner of the elevens, and sent platefuls of food to the girl, where she was allowed to squat; and said he, 'You and I'll tie a knot, and be friends for life.' I replied, 'With pleasure.' We nodded over a glass of ale.