e of the jolly god is
represented by a liquor-bar extending from side to side, and backed by
an array of shining bottles, glittering glasses, and sparkling
decanters; his "worship" administered by half-a-dozen "bartenders,"
resplendent in white shirts with wrist ruffles, and big diamond
breast-pins--real, not paste!

The altar of Fortuna is altogether of a different shape and pattern,
occupying more space. It is not compact, but extended over the floor,
in the form of five tables, large as if for billiards; though not one of
them is of this kind. Billiards would be too slow a game for the
frequenters of "El Dorado." These could not patiently wait for the
scoring of fifty points, even though the stake were a thousand dollars.
"No, no! _Monte_ for me!" would be the word of every one of them; or a
few might say "_Faro_." And of the five tables in the saloon, four are
for the former game, the fifth furnished for the latter; though there is
but little apparent difference in the furniture of the two; both having
a simple cover of green baize, or broadcloth, with certain crossing
lines traced upon it, that of the Faro table having the full suite of
thirteen cards arranged in two rows, face upwards and fixed; while on
the Monte tables but two cards appear thus--the Queen and Knave; or, as
designated in the game--purely Spanish and Spanish-American--"Caballo"
and "Sota." They are essentially card games, and altogether of chance,
just as is the casting of dice.

Other gambling contrivances have place in the "El Dorado;" for it is a
"hell" of the most complete kind; but these are of slight importance
compared with the great games, Monte and Faro--the real _pieces de
resistance_--while the others are only side-dishes, indulged in by such
saunterers about the saloon as do not contemplate serious play. Of all,
Monte is the main attraction, its convenient simplicity--for it is
simple as "heads or tails"--making it possible for the veriest greenhorn
to take part in it, with as much likelihood of winning as the oldest
_habitus_ of the hell. Originally Mexican, in many of the western
states it has become Americanised.

Of the visible insignia of the game, and in addition to the two cards
with their faces turned up, there is a complete pack, with several
stacks of circular-shaped and variously coloured pieces of ivory--the
"cheques" or counters of the game. These rest upon the table to the
right or left of the dealer--usually