prædatory

— These constitute a race of Englishmen almost as distinct from the rest of their countrymen as they gypsies; and from their prædatory habits, have been termed by the talented author of “The History of the Railyway,” banditti; they are men of perhaps, the finest physical structure, and most daring courage to be found in any part of the globe; and to this is superadded a cunning, which is as much a general characteristic to this race as shrewdness is that of Scotchmen, and with that of Irishmen.