He wore a rusted
steel head piece; a buff jacket of rather an antique cast; gloves, of
which that for the right hand was covered with small scales of iron,
like an ancient gauntlet; and a long broadsword completed his equipage.
"So," said the Dwarf, "rapine and murder once more on horseback."
"On horseback?" said the bandit; "ay, ay, Elshie, your leech-craft has
set me on the bonny bay again."
"And all those promises of amendment which you made during your illness
forgotten?" continued Elshender.
"All clear away, with the water-saps and panada," returned the unabashed
convalescent. "Ye ken, Elshie, for they say ye are weel acquent wi' the
gentleman,
"When the devil was sick, the devil a monk would be,
When the devil was well, the devil a monk was he."
"Thou say'st true," said the Solitary; "as well divide a wolf from his
appetite for carnage, or a raven from her scent of slaughter, as thee
from thy accursed propensities."
"Why, what would you have me to do? It's born with me--lies in my
very blude and bane.
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