Fitz of Fitz-Ford; a legend of Devon - University Library

FITZ OF FITZ-FORD. 33
am not as the fool^ that will suffer the viper to
bite him twice ; I would crush the reptile at
once upon the head."
'' But the chief of these people, uncle," said
the nephew, '' I thought you told me before
HOW, was not a miner, but a man of more civil
breeding, and of better knowledge than the rest.
What is he?"
" What he is, the God of Abraham, who
seeth the thought of man, can alone tell," re-
plied Levi. '' It is certain he is not a miner,
for he knows nothing of the craft ; and where-
fore these men choose him for a leader I can
scarce tell you ; except it be that the children
of the old serpent would be led by Satan him-
self and none other. This man is of a more
civil breeding, it is true, for he hath the learn-
ing of an elder in his own profane way ;
but for
manners, I wot he is as rude as the rest; as
rude as these mountain winds when they visit
the wild rocks. He is bold, yet cunning; wary
as the earth-grubbing fox, but cruel as the wolf
that watches, when the mastiff sleeps, to rifle
the fold—and for such properties, 'tis like
enough, these men should have chosen him for
a leader, since, though they are ferocious in
themselves, they have scarce wit enough to guide
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