I started in to bluff you out; but you fellows
are too much for me." The gentleman then said, "You can't bluff
me; I will call the bet." They showed down, but the fellow's four
queens and an ace were not enough, for my partner had four large
live kings, and he took down the money.

The fellow got up and raised a h--l of a kick, and finally, when
he saw he could get nothing back, he went to the Captain and told
him we had stolen his money. The Captain was a stranger to me, so
I could do nothing with him. He ordered the police flag to be run
up, and then we knew we would be arrested when we reached New
Orleans. I did not fear the result if we could get rid of our
money, but I did not want the fellow to get a chance at that. I
commenced looking around, and soon found a friend I could trust,
so I gave him all the money my partner and I had, and then I did
not care how quick they nabbed me. When we started off the boat,
we were met by about twenty police. The kicker was there, and when
he saw us he pointed me out and said, "There is one of them." The
officers laughed when they saw us, for they knew me. We got into
a cab and went up to the court, which was then in session. They
searched us, but only found a few dollars. I employed a lawyer,
and in about ten minutes we were free; but if we had not got away
with the stuff we would have had more trouble, as he was ready to
replevy. After being released we started out to find our friend,
and when we got our money we had more wine than was good for our
heads. I have often seen the police flag run up, but always managed
someway to keep from giving up the boodle. If I could find no
friend to trust it with before we landed, I would find one in the
officers or the cab boys, and not one of then ever went back on me.

A PAYMASTER'S BLUFF.

The yellow fever was raging in the South in 1867, and nearly every
one was trying to reach the seaboard, as it is considered that the
disease is not so violent there. On the steamer to Mobile one
night a big game was in progress. Ten dollars was the ante; no
limit. I was $1,300 loser, and soon resolved that I must stir
myself and do something. There was no time to lose, so hurrying
to the bar, upon some excuse, I got a deck such as they were using,
and ran up four hands, being careful that I got the best of it.
Returning, I played fully half an hour before I came out with my
deck. At last it came my deal, and I gave them thre