and give the money to some
needy person--that is, you can--and you'll meet many a poor cuss before
you get to New York."

"You can meet them anywhere."

"Have you got a roll?"

"Yes."

"A good sized one? for we want to give them a good bait."

Desmond was playing his part of the game well--very well--his whole
manner was right up to the mark--indeed, he did a fine piece of acting.
He pulled out a roll of bills, pretended to dispute with the sharp, and
suddenly exclaimed:

"I'll bet you a hundred."

"No, no, young fellow, I don't bet," said the sharp. "I know I am right,
I'd only be robbing you."

"I won't let you rob me; I am up to what I say."

The youth put an emphasis on his words which the sharp did not notice;
he thought he had such a sure thing, he was not looking for a false
"steer." Desmond saw the glitter, however, in the sharp's eyes at the
sight of the roll, for it looked like a big pile of money, and the sharp
appeared to feel, as indicated in his face, that the pile was already
his own.

"By ginger!" he said, "you are a dandy; you can play this game right up,
but don't be too anxious or you will scare those fellows off; just take
it easy, let them lead you on."

"Oh, I know how to work; don't you forget I am a Yorker."

"Yes, I see you Yorkers are smart fellows. You know a heap, I can see
that; but I did learn you some?"

"Yes, and when we get through here, I'll teach you a trick."

The sharp shot a keen glance at Desmond, and the lad saw that he had
been a little premature, but it was only a fuse that flashed, and the
sharp said, speaking in a very low tone:

"I'll go in the next car, but I'll be on hand at the right moment. I
want to enjoy the laugh when you catch these fellows. You are sure you
are on to the trick?"

"I am."

"You must keep your eyes well open."

"You bet I will."

The sharp left the car, and after a moment one of the confederates came
over and took a seat alongside of Desmond, and in a jolly, familiar
tone, he said:

"You bucked the senator's son down, didn't you?"

"Well, yes."

"It takes a good man to buck him down; He's got lots of stuff and sand
too, but you bucked him."

"Yes, I did."

"We're having a little game here to pass the time--it's awful dreary
these long rides. You see, we are salesmen and we've had some of these
fellows out here trying to rope us in, and we are trying to learn the
game."

"Don't you know the game?"

"No; do you?"