fer-de-lance

He is as decent a chap as it has ever been my privilege to know, and as much to be avoided on certain occasions as a fer-de-lance.

But the Fer-de-lance, whose nearest home is in Guiana, is not likely to have come on board ship.

There ees a man who ees to be keeled dead, and you let heem go—that ees more foolish as to let the Fer-de-lance free.

It may be the shortest route, indeed;—but then, the fer-de-lance!