Friend, you have nothing to fear--the sudden gust of passion is now blown over.
Recollect yourself, and I will reason calmly on the observation you have made." This was a very seasonable declaration to Mr.Ferret, who opened his eyes, and wiped his forehead, while the other proceeded in these terms: "You say I am in danger of being apprehended as a vagrant.

I am not so ignorant of the laws of my country, but that I know the description of those who fall within the legal meaning of this odious term.

You must give me leave to inform you, friend, that I am neither bearward, fencer, stroller, gipsy, mountebank, nor mendicant; nor do I practise subtle craft, to deceive and impose upon the king's lieges; nor can I be held as an idle disorderly person, travelling from place to place, collecting monies by virtue of counterfeited passes, briefs, and other false pretences; in what respect, therefore, am I to be deemed a vagrant?
Answer boldly without fear or scruple." To this interrogation the misanthrope replied, with a faltering accent, "If not a vagrant, you incur the penalty for riding armed in affray of the peace." "But, instead of riding armed in affray of the peace," resumed the other, "I ride in preservation of the peace; and gentlemen are allowed by the law to wear armour for their defence.

Some ride with blunderbusses, some with pistols, some with swords, according to their various inclinations.

Mine is to wear the armour of my forefathers.
Perhaps I use them for exercise, in order to accustom myself to fatigue, and strengthen my constitution; perhaps I assume them for a frolic." "But if you swagger, armed and in disguise, assault me on the highway, or put me in bodily fear for the sake of the jest, the law will punish you in earnest," cried the other.