Fair play meant with him something more than fair play for the sake of sport--it meant as well fair play for the sake of justice.
Temperate to the point of caring always for his body's welfare, as regular in his habits as he was in his promises and their fulfillments, kindling readily enough at any risk, though never boasting--I always admired him, and trust I may be pardoned for saying so.

I fear that at the time I mention now I admired him most for his strength and courage.
Thus as I swung leg over Satan that morning I resolved to handle him as I had seen my father do, and I felt strong enough for that.

I remembered, in the proud way a boy will have, the time when my father and I, riding through the muddy streets of Leesburg town together, saw a farmer's wagon stuck midway of a crossing.

"Come, Jack," my father called me, "we must send Bill Yarnley home to his family." Then we two dismounted, and stooping in the mud got our two shoulders under the axle of the wagon, before we were done with it, our blood getting up at the laughter of the townsfolk.

When we heaved together, out came Bill Yarnley's wagon from the mud, and the laughter ended.