Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-12-15
CHAPTER III.

have beeu brought up a. slsSers
CHAPTER III.
The End o. the Game.
Il must have been nearly midnight
before I finally decided to seek few
hours rest below, descending the short
ladder and walking forward along the
open deck for one last glance ahead.
Seine time the NEXT day we were to
be In st. Louis. and this expectation
served to brighten my thoughts I
turned back along the deserted deck.
only pauslng a moment to glance care
lessly In through the front windows
of the main cabin. The forward por-
ton was wrapped In darkness, and un-
occupied, but beyond, toward the rear
Of the long saloon. a considerable group
Of men were gathered closely about a
small table, above which a swinging
lamp burned brightly, the rays of light
Illuminating the various faces. Gam
bling was no novelty on the crest river
In those days, gambling for high
stakes. and surely no ordinary game,
involving 4 small sum. would ever
arouse the depth Of interest displayed
BY these nen. Some Instinct told me-
that the chief players would be Kirby
and Beaucaire, and with quickening
pulse I opened the cabin door and en-
tered.
No one noted my approach, or SO
much as glanced up, the attention Of
the Crowd riveted upon the players.
There were four holding eards-ths
Judge. Kirby, Carver and NcAfss; but
Judged ut q glance that tho latter
two were merely in the game as pre-
tense. the betting having already gone
far beyead the limit Of their resources.
Without q thought as to the cards
they held my eyes sought the faces
Of the two chief players, and then Wis
Toned tho stakes displayed On the table
before then. NcAfss and Carter
were clearly enough oat Of It. their
cards stiIl striped IN their AaGsss. a.
they leaned breathlessly forward to
observe more closely the play. The
Judge sat upright. his attitude strained,
staring down at his hand, his face
white and eyes burning feverishly.
That 10 had been drinking heavily vas
evident, bat Kirby frontsd him In ap-
parent cold indifference. his feelings
completely masked, with the cards he
held punched in his hands and entirely
concealed from view. Between the two
rested 4 stack Of gold coin, D. roll Of
crushed bills and legal paper Of
some kind, the exact nature Of which
could not determine. It was evident
that fortune already rested on that
table. Awaiting the flip Of card. The
silence. tho breathless attention, con-
vincsd me that the crisis had been
reached-it was the judges move; ne
must cover the last bet or throw down
his hand loser.
Pespiratie beaded his forehead,
and he cruachsd the cards savaSely Ia
hts hands. His glance swept past
the crowd % though he saw nothing
Of their faces.
"Anether drink. SAM" he called, the
voice trembling. He tossed down the
glass Of liquor as though 1t we're -
much water, but made no other effort
to speak. You could hear the strained
breathing Of the men.
"Wen," said Kirby sneeringiy, his
cold gaze surveying bis netionlsss
opponent. you seem to be taking
your tims. DO you cover my bstr
Someone laughed nervously, and
voice sang out over my shoulder. zen
might a. we'll 60 the whole hog,
Judge. The nigIers won't be ~ good
without the land ter work 'em on.
Fling 'em into the pot-they're a. good
% money"
Beaucaire looked up, red-eyed, into
the impassive countenance opposite.
His ups twitchsd YET managed to make
words Issue bstwsea them.
'How about that Kirby" 10 asked
hoarseiy. "Will you accept . bill Of
saler
Kirby grinned. shuniins his hand
carelessly.
"Why notl 'rwsnr be tho Arst tine
1'vs played for sissers. they ars
worth 80 much gold down tho river.
What have you gotf
II can't tell oNhand," sullenly.
"About twenty field hands,"
"And house servantsf ,.ksssk
"Three or four"
The gamblers lips set more tightly,
. dull CLEAN creeping into his eyes.
q See here, Beaucaire." no Kissed
sharply. This II my gams, and I
play square and never sausal. I know
about what you've got. fer e>1ccked
them over: Thought w might get
down to this sometime. can make
pretty fair guess a. to what your nig.
gers are worth. That's why I Just
raised you ten thousand and pat NJ
the money. Now II you think this u
blu6. call me-"
t'What do you neaar
'That ! will accept your niggero %
ssvsrtAg my bst."
'.Ths Asld hsldsr
kitty sllilal broadly.
'.Ths whole busch Reid hands ana
house lsgypst. NeAt " thsm 80 "a