Squatter sovereign., 1856-08-19

ary was put Ia melton, and the gambler
was immediately chasing the piston rod
upon all-iours, a game he understood In |
more senses than one, and then backing
out Of It's way; his eye all the time as
firmly fixed upon the rod as ever that of
Gabriel Ravel was on the tight rope. Al
ter working him forward and backward
several times. one of his tormentors put in
with svfefs5ls.I eeeA =
Don't you think you had better dis
gorge 2" ,s52 sao io s=saa 80 q
Don't bother me,'' retorted the gam
tler.a CD ae ssas
you'll get sick of that game" said an
other boatinan, as the fellow was following
the piston rod up in the attitude of bear.
mot as you knows on rejoined the
gambler, as he backed out Of lis way, his
eye still bent on the rod without winking,
as he knew that life depended upon watch
fIlness and vigilance.
After this fashion they ran uron the
poor fellow for several minutes. be still
manifesting a stubborn unwilIingness TO
give up his spoils. BY this time all TIE
cabin passengers had heard Of the fun go
ing on below, and went down to witness
it. The laugh from the crowd was bois-
ferrous and hearty in the extreme as tie
poor fellow, intent upon nothing but his
own safety, followed the piston rod up TO
prevent his neck from being jerled off.
being run over and crushed. His looks
and actions might be hlened somewhat
to those of an old bear, dragged by
chain up to some point against his Will.
and backing out the moment foot of
slack was given him; and then again to
a savage bulldog with a rope round his
neck, 6ercely endeavoring to get a; some
prey, and then undergoing the process of
being dragged back the moment his mouth
was opened to receive it.
"Fire and fall back - was heard from
an individual in the crowd, and in terms
anything. but consolatory-
Root hog Or die - came taun,ingly
from another.
"Twig him-onIy look - shouted by.
stander, in apparent ecstasies OF delight.
Hump yourself OF you're goner =
cried one.
Here he goes, there he goes" said
another.
''Ha la. he he, hi hi," laughed still an
other, unable to sustain himself.
Amt he in q pretty fix 2" put in a
fourth.
Serves him right" said fifth.
Good enough for him." said sixth,
the piston rod all the while keeping him
IN full exercise, with the perspirati on roll
ing down his checks in streams. Not
even side glance did he turn right or
left-his eyes were all the while firmly
fixed upon the obnoxious machinery before
him.
..Ain't you most ready to hand over
now 2" queried one of the plucked deck
hands, thinking he could not possibly hold
out much longer.
'.Don't bother me-" returned the gam
bier; ''if you do I'll lose my lick"
Wont you give up the money 9" en-
quired. another of the feeced ones. o
IF | do, do F.; but if do,I I'm id"
re,orted the insepcrable companion of the
piston rcd. I've got tue hang of this
game-l understand the principles of this
machinery now-and you may on with
more steam, and work me from one end
of the Mississippi to TIE otter, before I'll
give up the first red cent. Go ahead g.
In this way the fellow was worked,
withou. vinching or showing any sign OF
giving up. until the boa, was ready to
start; when considering that they had got
the worth Of the iun, and that he had af-
forded more than sufficient amusement to
compensate for their odd dimes, the en-
ging was stopped and the man let loose.
After strengthening himself up. and af-
ter putting, blowing end wiping TIE per-
spiration from his face. the gambler, looked d
round upon the crowed with self-satisfisd
air. eaclaining: :. You can't come it over
'his child with any OF your common games /;
I've stood three pluck once too often TO be
biused of. even IL there were forty
agains, me. ! shall go ashore at this
wood pile myself, bu, hope to see you all
in the fall. And If at any time any OF
you want to get up another small game.
and if there's anything to be made by it.
you may give me a hand
So saying. the gambler stalked coo,ly
ashore whisling his stick. The boat was
/! soon under way, and all hands resumed