Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-11-21

GRANGE of the flowers protected from
the reflected glare of the opposite hou-
ses on which the sun was darling its
rays, by awnings of striped linen thai
fell from above the windows, and hung
over the outside of the small semi ir-
cular balconies.
After standing for a few minutes al
the table, and stalking a doubloon
| which he instantly lost, Rafael Solanc
took up paper and threw himself into
an armchair, while Vallejo remained
watching with keen attention the var
Gus fluctuations of the card. For some
time he did not join the game, rather
to the establishment of the other play
ers, who were accustomed to see him
stake his money, as soon as he entered
the room, with an unhesitating bold
ness and confidence. Half an hour
passed in this manner, and the pres
ence of Vallejo was beginning to be
forgotten, when he suddenly drew ro-
leau of gold flom his pocket, and pla-
ced it upon the card. The game went
on; Vallejo lost, and with his usual
sang tfoid saw his stake thrown into
the bank. Another followed, and a
third, and a fourth. In four coups he
had lost three thousand dollars. Still
not sign of excitement or discompo-
sure appeared upon the handsome coun-
tenance of the Mexican; only an off
Ger who was standing by him observ-
ed, that pack of thin Spanish cards,
which he had in his hand, fell to the
ground, torn completely in half by one
uiolent wrench.
The four high stakes,s boldly play
ed and so rapidly lost, riveted the OBJ
servation of the gamblers upon Vale
jas proceedings. Every body crow
ded round the table, land even the slight
buzz of conversation that had before
been heard, totally ceased. His at
tention attracted by his sudden still
ness, Rafeal rose from his chair and
joined his friend. A glance at the IN
creased wealth of bank, and the ca
gerness with which all seemed to be
awaiting Valleja's movements, made
him conjecture what had occurred.
you have lost, said he to the count,
sand heavily, fear. Come that will
do for to-day. Let us go"
'Pshan replied the Mexican "a mere
trife, which you will see me win
back And then turning to the bank
er, who was Just commencing deal;
'Copo,' said he, the king against
the ace.o
For the uninitiated in the mysteries
of monte, it may be necessary to state
that by uttering these words Vallejo
bound himself, if an ace came up be.
fore a king, to pay an equal amount to
that in the bank, as well as all the win
nings of those who had backed the
ace. If on the other hand, the king
won, the whole capital OF the bank
was his, as well as the stakes of those
who bet against him.
! 'Capo al reg
There was a general murmur of as
constituent. The Bank was the lar.
gest that had been seen in that room
since a certain memorable night, wher
Ferdinand himself, being out upon one
of his nocturnal froIics in which he wa.
SO much delighted, had come up il
disguise with an officer of his house
hold, and had lost a sum that had
greatly advantaged the bankers, anc
sorely diminished the contents of hi;
Catholic Majesty's private purse
There were at least thirty thousand
dollars on the table in gold and paper
and besides that, scarcely had the Mex
lean uttered the name of card he favor
ed, when on the strength Of his, Il
luck, some Of the players put dowI
nearly as much more against it. The
two bankerslooked at each other; thu
guardsman shrugged his shoulders ane
ellated his eye brows. Both move
ments were so slight IS to be scarcely
perceptible; but they were neverthe.
less, exceedingly well-obseryed and
understood by his partner, the high
dried old Marquis, sitting opposite to
him, who laid the pack of cards on the
table, their face to the cloth, and after
placing piece Of money on them to
prevent their being disturbed by any
chance puff of wind, opened his gold
box and took prodigious pinch Of
snuff. Having done this with much
deliberation, he let his hands fall
upon his knees, and leaned back in
his chair with countenance express
sive of exhaustible patience. The
players waited for nearly a minute
but then began to grow impatient for
the delay. At the first question put TO
the Marquis, as to his motive in waving