The midland journal., 1899-03-17
CHAPTER VII.-Continued.

and their different tastes and occupa.
| tions. In one of the large saloons
there was dancing and waltzing, to
the music of piano and violin. On the
after deck brass band was pouring
fourth stirring strains, and hundreds
of couples were promenading. The
moon had by this time risen, and the
| spectacle of her flood of light on the
wide river was grand indeed. Rats
| and flat-boats were passed, as we'll as
smaller freight-boats; and once the
steam-pipes of the Queen screamed
| shrill in answer to the salute of large
| steamer going up.
That's the Prentiss,"a a man near me
said. Some day they'll happen to
come together, going the same way;
and then therc'll be the biggest race
| this river ever Saw. Both captains are
eager for it, and there'd be piles of
money bet on it. I'd hope to be there
that day"
Isn't it dangerous?" man from
Boston inquired.
Dangerous? Well, maybe, little,
but we never think of that down here
Steamboats, always have raced, and
reckon they always will. | feel my
self just this way about it-that if |
owned one of these boats, and she
couldn't carry steam enough to beat
the other without bursting-why. then
let her burst. and be id to her."
but the passengers?"
81 should say they'd better be nt
home, that trip" | went forward and
found large number greatly interested
in the performances of one OF the negro
hands, who was dancing in a grotesque
fashion to the drumming of banjo.
Then | went below, past the gilded
and mirrored mahogany bar-counters,
when half-a-dozen men in their shirt
sleeves were mixing fancy drinks for a
noisy and thirsty crowd. Around a
table in an adjoining saloon SO many
were pressing that ! could not see
what the attraction was. They stood
on tiptoe and tried to peer over the
shoulders of those in front of them
A large chandelier lighted the room
but the point of interest was concealed
by the throng.
The pressure soon became so great
that | was crowded up against the
wall More to save myself from suffo-
cation than from curiosity, reached
up to the top of a decreasing, put my
foot on the knob, and was at once able
to elevate myself over all heads, and
look directly down upon the table
The position was uncomfortable; but
was not compelled to keep it more than
ten minutes.
Two men sat at the table playing
cards. The one facing me recognized
at once as he who had been pointed
out to me by Mr.. Eorion as Conrad
Bostock
The crowd overtopped them, hung
over them, but they paid no attention
to anything but their game.
Piles of gold and notes were upon
the table. I could not see what the
game was or how it was being played;
but it was apparent that Bostock was
largely the winner. The pile of money
in front of HIM steadily increased, and
the light sound of cards striking the
table was now and then punctuated by
something like an oath from the other
player.
Suddenly this man made a noise
that sounded like deep growl, and
drawing a knife from his sleeve
pinned to the table the card that his
opponent had just played. And SO
quickly that the whole seemed to be
but single motion, he drew a re-
volver, cooked it and pointed it at the
others head.
The crowd fell back in fright; some
/ were thrown down and trampled under
foot, some were carried back against
the wall, and many who could fed
from the room. The two gamblers sat
motionlcss.
"fou wouldn't send q man out of
the world this way?" the one who wus
threatened by the pistol said.
81 ought to, you cheating scoundrell
Sir" TO bystander, "just look Mt this
ace of diamonds that he played last.
Now look at the trumps he's played
there, and see if there amt another of
en-"
The man addressed ran over the
cards, and quietly threw out another.
81 thought so; | thought was
cheated, an hour back, but | couldn't
lay my finger on the spot till this min
ute. I'm going to take every dollar of
that money. Dan Turner, rake it in. :"
The revolver still covered Conrad
Bostock's head. The companion of the
man who held it proceeded to stuff his
pockets with great handfuls of the
gold and notes on the table until not
dollar remained
Now, I've done with you, you mis-
cradle, clumsy cheatl" the man with
the pistol said. "You ought to
be lynched. You're disgrace. to
the company of all gentlemen; but"
Lynch hint Throw him into the
river! Drown him! Tie him fast to o
1 niggerl" came shower of suggestions
from the crowd.
The object of their attentions turned
pale. had marveled to see his com
posure when the muzzle of the re-
volver was at his forehead; but he
doubtless was thoroughly acquainted
with his own class, and knew that
there was no danger of more than o
menace from that quarter, provided he
sat still and made no resistance. But
when those hostile cries were heard, he
realized his danger at once. lie was
among gamblers, sporting men, specu-