The sympathy of the ladies was now greater than ever; they even made some attempts to mollify the ire of Ready-Money Jack; but that sturdy potentate had been too much incensed by the repeated incursions that had been made into his territories by the predatory band of Starlight Tom, and he was resolved, he said, to drive the "varment reptiles" out of the neighbourhood.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
I agreed with her, though, that the little varment had treated me so bad, that I ought to forget her, and yet I couldn't do it.
"A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee."
Davy Crockett
A person who is acquainted with bear-hunting, can tell easy enough when the varment is in the hollow; for as they go up they don't slip a bit, but as they come down they make long scratches with their nails.
"A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee."
Davy Crockett