Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1881-09-22

croached upon his scene Of opera
tions. OF couse this left him in
undisputed possession of the field,
and he reapd a goldeu harvest
during the nire years he conducted
bis operationsthere.
1t was my ht at the time to be
compelled to make very frequent
trips between New Orleans and
Vicksburg, and l preferred the
steamer Of which Sturdivant had
taken possession, inasmuch as it
was not only the most comfortable
but also the swlftest, and time was
of the ntmostinportance TO me. It
was known that at times / carried
large sums Of money, and [ was al
ways apprehensive lest Sturdivant
should ask me to play. L made up
my mind to refuse him, and if he
attempted to draw me into quarrel,
to shoot him without mercy. as I
knew that the ,nly chance for my
life lay in getting thu advantage
over him. Stnnge to say, he did
not make any mch proposition to
me, and tookc care to give him nc
chance to do SC.
One night We had struck on.
from Vicksburg, and were heading
:. down the rive when Sturdivant
came toward The group that was
gathered around the stove. lie
had been drinking. and WAS smok-
ing a fine cigaras he approached.
well, gentlemen he said in an
unsteady tone, you seem to be ter
J ribly dull; who wants to play for
| $40 ante g
There was ID reply; no one vol
} unteered to place himself in HI:
clutches.
'Humph = he exclaimed, with ar
expression of contempt. 'Afraie
to try your luck with Daniel Stur-
divaut, eh2 Or may be you wan
a little coaxing; l can't stand suct
treatment. Come, let's see VINO j
shall be-
He glanced around the crowd a
If to select his victim, and for tn
first time, [ noticed the gaze of on
: Of the group fixed steadily upo
him. He was stranger to me an
! was dressed in plain homespun, AM
his face was partly concealed by
2 broad brimmed sombrero whicl
was drawn over it. He was
small but powerfully made man
e aud in the decided expression {
t his we'll shaped head [ read an un
e usual firmness and Intensity {
purpose.
sAre You Daniel Sturdivant, th
!, gambler 2 he asked in calm tone
! Sturdivant flushed darkly, an
= gave the stranger sharp glance.
Some persons cal; me so benin
my back he said, insolently, 'br
:. no one would dare apply that teri
= to my tace.'
II Nevertheless said the stranger
: quietly, Il want an answer yes,
no.
/ well. then, I am = said I'll
L gambler, angrily. sWhat of it 3
:, Simply this,' replied the stran
ger. 4 have heard it said that yo
:, claim to be the best card player
:, the southwest, and I have com
= two hundred miles to prove you
- far.'
al Sturdivant strobe forward a ste
or two, and put his hand into h
, breast quickly as if to draw
: weapon.
- sStopp = said the stranger;
4 you shoot me, you will simp
- - grove yourself afraid Of me. Tal
a y your seat at the table and l W
- proceed to make my word good
ic There was something in t
"A calm, stern manner Of the strang
d that seemed to render the gambl
ar DO verless. He hesitated momeI
az and then said in bullying tone:
to 4 never play with a man who
of face 1 cannot look at
1e Never mind my face,' sa1d
be stranger; 'if you are not afraid
w losing, you shall see it when ]
done with you
al sBut how do I know that y
al have money for such sport?' p'
as sisted Sturdivant; you look see'
re my fine fellow
ad sThere = exclaimed the strans
u 4 have ten thousand dollars the
as if you can win it you shall have
ed With an oath Sturdivant pla
No himself at the table, and bade
les challenger do likewise. Those
ng us who had listened to this singc
a dialogue now gathered around
ew table, expecting to see game
ay more than usual interest.
1at stranger had not raised his
I've brIm and none Of us had yet s
so his face; but we all felt from
4. general fair and manner that d.
the iel Sturdivant had at last met