ruffins

If he hab go by de raff dem ruffins sure eat him up, -- dat be if dey get hungry.

The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea Mayne Reid 1850

Let's hope we are both mistaken: for if we're to come across them ruffins on the big raft, we needn't expect mercy at their hands.

The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea Mayne Reid 1850

There's no voice like that little 'un among its crew o' ruffins; and that man, whosomever he be, don't speak like Le

The Ocean Waifs A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea Mayne Reid 1850

Them ruffins hez behaved wuss than Injuns would a done.

The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse Mayne Reid 1850

I continued in that state for two or three days, and found no relief but by submitting to my fate, and I was doleful enough off, for I couldn't see sun, moon, or stars, for I should think two weeks; and then a couple of these ruffins come and took me out into the forecastle, and my companions, and they told me all about how they'd been stole; and we was as miserable a company as ever got together.

Chains and Freedom: Or, The Life and Adventures of Peter Wheeler, a Colored Man Yet Living. A Slave in Chains, a Sailor on the Deep, and a Sinner at the Cross 1839

What have dem rascally ruffins been an 'done to ye? "

The Death Shot A Story Retold Mayne Reid 1850