The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-10

brandy or the gambling fever that got
into our blood doesn't matter. Brent
suggested that we stop playing baby
game and make 1t table stakes. We
agreed, and from then until daylight
the time simply flew.
Luck came my way first; then 1t
swung around to Hurd, and I saw that
the young chap was a fierce gambler,
and finally 1t settled on Brent's side
Of the table and stayed there. Three
handed poker is q cut-throat game and
mighty uncertain. Brent played it in
various ways. / was out nearly $1,000
when he began series of fool plays.
He raised Hurd three times running
out of big pots on bluff hands, which
he showed down with grin each time
after winning the pot. Hurd swore
softly and intensely. Again Brent
raised him 5000 and Hurd raised back.
Brent was game for another 500, and
Hurd thinking that he was bluffing,
jumped him again. I had dropped out.
Brent joilied the thing along skilfully
and when Hurd finally called him on
and took the money.
THAT was when 1 didn't bluff he
said.
I'VE went at the game the next afternoon,
and with much the same result. Hurd and
] won at the start, and then Brent got all of
the cards We both watched him closely.
and he knew it. He dealt and handled the
cards always above the table, and there could
be suspicion of his cheating. 1t was a
novel experience with to be gambling for
high stakes but l had lost so much that /
kept on in the hope Of getting it back. AS
for Burd, he came out In his true colors.
He a gambler at heart. Brent puzzled
me. He seemed to be elated as boy
with his good fortune, and Hurd said to me
that he thought Brent was tenderfoot play
ing in great luck, and that we would have
our revenge before we reached Nassau. l was
poker crazy and so was Hurd. On the night
before reaching Nassau we both played as if
ing l went broke. 1 s., 600 out of pocket
and I knew that I had been fool. Hurd
wanted to keep on, and finally he and Brent
began playing showdown for $50 hand.
Brent still had the luck and Hurd finally
threw the cards down with an oath that was
first applied collectively to all Of his ances-
tors and then individually, winding up with
his own opinion Of himself
Il" Thank You,' | said.
oh! I'm the bigger fool. said Hurd. I
risked everything for that money which have
lost. and think I'd better jump overheard
Just then we heard the bell ring in the
engine room, and the captain began shouting
orders from the bridge. 1t was nearly day
light and our steamer was outside Of Nassau
harbor waiting for pilot to take us in.
red rocket was sent up then another one.
In the distance We heard the rattle of oars
and the 'Humph! humph! humph" of the
negro crew that was bringing the pilot out
to us. Brent watched Hurd like a cat as he
stood near the rail. The pilot came aboard.
and just after daylight we found ourselves
anchored in the harbor, with the town
mile distant and the bottom Of coral plainly
outlined below us through the clear water.
look US over. Wretched as I felt over my
loss, which l could Ill afford, the scene inter
ested me- Besides there was some comfort
in the thought that Hurds losses were greater
than mine.
Doctor, we are now in English waters
aren't we, and under the English fag?' asked
Brent.
proudly.
g Then, said Brent, 4 have an unpleasant
duty to perform and before the rest of us