Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-06-13


holster and passed it over to Melville
without further question. The engineer
glanced at the weapon, walked to the
rear of the room and, opening the back
door, fired five shots in rapid success
sion into the ground.
"Put up your money" he said, ad-
dressing McLane as he returned to the
card table. The gambler sat down and
counted 81, 600 in bills and gold, pushed
the pile to one end Of the green cloth
covered table and looked up inquiringly
at Melville. who was still on his feet.
The latter placed his money on Nc
Lanes, saying:
"That is for the winner"
He threw open the revolver, display.
ing five empty shells and one loaded
cartridge. Closing the weapon, he set
the hammer for the remaining load and
laid the revolver beside the money.
"And that" he added quietly, sis
for the loser"
McLane turned pale. WHAT" he
asked, his voice shaking.
The young man repeated: "That"
pointing to the money-"goes to the
winner, and that'-pointing to the re-
volver-"goes to the loser. He uses it
himself-you understand. Do you ac-
cept?"
He was as cool apparently as if he
were proposing a game of cards for the
drinks. McLane moved uneasily in his
chair, making no response. Melville
spoke again:
"You have called me a coward. Let
these gentlemen here see who shows
the white feather. Now. put up or shut
up"
There was a solemn hush in the room.
The crowd stared admiringly at the
tenderfoot and then expectantly at the
gambler, whose eyes had dropped. Old
Dad Grayson, who stood in the front
row, broke the silence:
"The kids seen your bluff, Mac, and
raised you. You got to call him. He's
dead game, all right"
McLane studied for a moment and
finally said huskily:
CPL 60 you"
The tensity that had held the crowd
relaxed, and there was a confused min
Cling of voices as one turned to another
in comment.
Melville called the proprietor.
"Bring me a drink of Hennessy, Mr..
Johnston, and please send over to the
drug store for a box Of new cards. We
will have a fresh deck for each deal"
The chips were counted and the play
began. Melville was much the cooler
Of the two. He had smoked very little
and drank nothing during the night,
while his opponent had "braced'' him
self repeatedly and had smoked inces-
sanity, leaving his nerves shattered.
McLane's luck did not desert him,
and as he gradually lowered Melville's
stock of chips, notwithstanding the
latter's cautious play, he became ag-
gressive and confident. He called for
whisky frequently, but Melville drank
no more. He won occasionally, but his
losses exceeded his gains for a long
time. Then he drew a big hand and
won back all that be had lost. The chips
were coming to his side Of the table
now.
The awed spectators were gathered
around the table watching as the two
men played in silence. They had stop
ped to see a stiff poker game. Instead
they were witnessing a duel.
1t was Melville's deal. There were
several raises before the draw, and then
McLane took two cards, Melville tossed
the deck aside and said, "I'll play
these" Stacking up his chips, he showed
them to the center. "Ill tap you," be
said. Without a moments hesitation
the gambler put in his pile and called
his opponent.
III guess I've got you," he said, with
assurance. "Straight Pushes don't go
here, and | reckon that's good" and
he turned over three kings and two aces.
Melville looked straight at him and,
without a word, spread out his hand
four queens and a small card. The gam
bier, who was leaning over the table
eager to sweep in the chips, dropped
back in his chair and gasped:
"My God, I'm a dead mani"
"This belongs to me, I believe" said
Melville, rising from his chair and
gathering up the money. "And this, "
picking up the revolver, ''goes to you,
Bob McLane. But as the proposition
was mine and since I have won I shall
take the liberty
He pointed the six shooter at the cell
ing, pulled the trigger and handed the
empty weapon to its owner. -Frank
Lundy Webster in Lawrence (Kan. }
Gazette.