Saurin, and go with him to Slam's yard.

For a crisis had arrived in their affairs which assumed a most serious
aspect. It was no longer a question of obtaining the means of
continuing their gambling; they had awakened from that dream, and saw
what dupes they had been. And indeed the Slams, father and son, found
that their little game was being talked about in the neighbourhood too
freely for safety, and had abruptly discontinued it. Josiah, indeed,
was about to take his departure altogether, and in announcing that
intention to Saurin and Edwards, demanded immediate payment of the money
he had advanced them, in consideration of which they had jointly signed
an acknowledgment for five pounds. They had, indeed, kept away from the
yard when their money was all gone, but Josiah Slam was not to be balked
in that manner. He went over to Weston, and accosted Saurin in the
street.

"I cannot pay you just now; don't speak to me here, we shall be seen,"
said Saurin.

"What do I care for that?" replied Josiah. "If you don't come to me
I'll come to you."

"I will come to the yard to-morrow afternoon, only do go away now,"
urged Saurin.

"You had better," said the man significantly. And so Saurin and Edwards
were now on their way to the yard.

"Well, gents, have you got the money?" asked Josiah Slam, who admitted
them. "I hope so, for I wants to be off, and I'm only a-waiting for
that."

"No," replied Saurin, "we have not got it; it is not likely. We did not
sign that paper until we had lost everything to you, and we shall not
have any more till after Easter. Perhaps we may pay you then, though I
don't consider we owe you anything really. You have won it all back,
and a lot more besides."

"What's that to do with it?" cried young Slam. "You had as good a
chance of winning of me, hadn't yer?"

"No, of course not," replied Saurin. "I am not certain that we had any
chance at all."

"What d'yer mean? yer--"

"Oh, don't bluster and try to bully," said Saurin. "I'm not afraid of
you."

"Oh, you're not, ain't yer, my game chicken? but I have got your I O U."

"Much good may it do you! Why, we are under age, and it's of no value
at all."

"And you call yerself a gentleman! Yah! But I'm not so green as yer
think, my boy. Of course I knowed it warn't a legal dokiment. But it's
proof enough for me. If you don't pay I shall take it to yer master,
and see if he won't pay it for yer."

"Don't be a fool; y