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bestowed, in having gone along with me through 

 several past pages ; which, although with some 

 little repetitions, have been studiously employed 

 in reconciling the securest carriage of arms with 

 the most determined rapidity of shot. He will 

 not be offended if I should once more awaken 

 even him with a call for caution, where to expa- 

 tiate on danger would be worse than absurdity. 

 And if any fiery young gentleman, who with 

 easy promptness has hitherto sought an associa- 

 tion with me, but with blood as yet untamed 

 by time, and making mock of fear, should feel 

 himself prepared to spurn the studious guard 

 which I have been endeavouring to impose 

 upon his hands, before I permit him to enter 

 cover, and dash on unrestrained, with slovenly 

 and heedless carriage of his arms, momentarily 

 threatening destruction to his dogs in every 

 direction around him, I can only say that I beg 

 to take my leave of him, and do most devoutly 

 wish him and them all safe out again. I have 

 seen too much service not to revolt at the name 

 of coward ; but it is not every man that I would 

 trust on the other side of a hedge with me: 

 and by my troth, I must know a man well, 

 before I would venture myself into a wood 

 along with him. 



