He was musical besides, and had a little key-bugle in his pocket, on which, whenever the conversation flagged, he played the first part of a great many tunes, and regularly broke down in the second.
'Ah!' said Bill, with a sigh, as he drew the back of his hand across his lips, and put this instrument in his pocket, after screwing off the mouth-piece to drain it; 'Lummy Ned of the Light Salisbury, HE was the one for musical talents.

He WAS a guard.

What you may call a Guard'an Angel, was Ned.' 'Is he dead ?' asked Martin.
'Dead!' replied the other, with a contemptuous emphasis.

'Not he.

You won't catch Ned a-dying easy.