He
said, "I did not understand it, or I would have been glad to help
you." I told him that after dinner I would open up again, and for
him to walk up and make a good big bet, and I would let him win;
then for him to walk away, and I would catch all the suckers on
the boat. After all had been arranged, I went to my room and got
old "Betsy Jane;" for my new capper had one on him so long that it
stuck down below his coat-tail. I told my partner to look out for
the big gun and our new capper. I called the passengers around a
table, and began to throw the hooks. Up came the big fish, and
wanted to know what was the least bet I would take. I told him
$200. He planked her up, when I saw about $50 left, so I told him
I would make it $250. He put up the extra $50, for of course the
more he put up the more he would win, as he was to suck in the hook
with the extra kink in it. I gave them a little mixing and said
"Ready!" He darted in, and nabbed the bait more like a goggle-eye
than a sucker, but he was caught all the same. He did not swim
away (as he had been told to do), for he was held by a line that
cost him $250, and he could not break it without a great struggle.
I thought I had let him play about long enough, so I said:
"Gentlemen, there are no more suckers to be caught on this boat,"
and thus landed the biggest sucker I ever caught in all my life.

I put up my fishing tackle and invited all hands to the bar, for
I was feeling like all fishermen (a little dry). My big sucker
joined us, as he had been out of water just long enough to want to
get back. After we had quenched our thirst he said he would like
to see me a minute. I told him he could see me for an hour, as I
had no other business to look after. We walked out on the guards,
and my partner was not far away. The big fellow said to me, "Why
didn't you let me win the money?" I looked up at him, but kept my
hand on old Betsy Jane, and said, "My business is to catch suckers,
and you are the biggest one I ever caught in my life if you think
I will give you back your money." He went back for his gun, but
I had old Betsy out and up to his head before he could say Jack
Robinson. I told him to put up his hands, and be d----d quick
about it, too. He put them up, and said he did not want any gun
to whip such a fellow as I was. I told him that he might be a good
man down in Texas, where he came from, but he was a sucker up in
this country, and I could ea