And behind those barrels shone a pair of steel grey eyes, which the chief's son knew to go with the coolest brain and steadiest hand on the whole Zulu border.
"The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley"
Bertram Mitford
With thoughts of this nature, I assumed my steadiest demeanour-ordered my breakfast in the most orthodox fashion-eat it like a man in his senses; and when I threw myself back in the wicker conveniency they call a caleche, and bid adieu to Kehl, the whole fraternity of the inn would have given me a certificate of sanity before any court in Europe.
"The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer, Complete"
Charles James Lever (1806-1872)
It was a time to quicken the steadiest pulse, and when the crucial moment came, when a pebble suddenly rang against the pane with a sound that the tense waiting magnified into a shivering crash, Hollyer leapt from the bed on the instant.
"Max Carrados"
Ernest Bramah