pay you anything.--Do take away that ---- pistol.' In effect
his adversary held the muzzle of his pistol close to the seat of honour
as the fellow stood stuffed up the chimney!

'You'll pay, will you?' said the former; 'Very well--800 dollars--is 't
a bargain?'

'Yes, yes!' gasped the voice in the chimney.

'Very well,' rejoined the tormentor, 'but just wait a bit; I must have
a voucher. I'll just cut off the bottom of your breeches by way of
voucher.' So saying he pulled out his knife and suited the action to the
words.

'Now get down,' he said, 'and out with the money;' which was paid, when
the above-named voucher was returned to the chimney-groper.

The town of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi, was formerly notorious as the
rendezvous of all sorts of desperadoes. It was a city of men; you saw no
women, except at night; and never any children. Vicksburg was a sink of
iniquity; and there gambling raged with unrestricted fury. It was
always after touching at Vicksburg that the Mississippi boats became
the well-known scene of gambling--some of the Vicksburghers invariably
getting on board to ply their profession.

On one occasion, one of these came on board, and soon induced some of
the passengers to proceed to the upper promenade-deck for gambling. Soon
the stakes increased and a heap of gold was on the table, when a dispute
arose, in the midst of which one of the players placed his hand on the
stake. Thereupon the Vicksburg gambler drew his knife and plunged it
into the hand of the former, with a terrible imprecation.

Throughout the Southern States, as before observed, gambling prevailed
to a very great extent, and its results were often deplorable.

A planter went to a gambling house, accompanied by one of his negroes,
whom he left at the door to wait his return. Whilst the master was
gambling the slave did the same with another whom he found at the door.
Meanwhile a Mexican came up and stood by looking at the game of the
negroes. By-and-by one of them accused the other of cheating, which was
denied, when the Mexican interposed and told the negro that he saw him
cheat. The latter told the Mexican that he lied--whereupon the Mexican
stabbed him to the heart, killing him on the spot.

Soon the negro's master came out, and on being informed of the affair,
turned to the Mexican, saying--'Now, sir, we must settle the matter
between us--my negro's quarrel is mine.' 'Agreed,' said the Mexican;
they entered the house