l him which card to turn,
which was agreed to. The man then got out his big roll, and put
up $100. I told him if he won I would only bet him the one time;
and if I won I would only be even; and that I would not bet less
than $500. He put up the $500, and turned the wrong card. After
putting the money out of sight, I began to throw the cards again;
for I saw a diamond stud and ring worth about $1,000. While the
cards were on the table I turned around to spit, and my partner
marked one of the cards with a pencil, and let the man see the
mark. He then bet me $500, and won it; then he walked away. The
man began to get nervous and feel for his money; but he had only
about seventy-five dollars left, and wanted to bet that. I told
him I had just lost $500, and would not bet less than $1,000. He
insisted on betting the $75, but I told him to keep it for expenses,
and that I would bet him $500 against his stud and ring. Up they
went, and I put up $500. Over went the marked card, and he lost
again. Out he went, and when I saw him again the Captain was with
him. I knew what was in the wind, and I stood my ground. The
Captain said to me, "Have you been gambling on my boat?" "I do
not know what you mean by that question," says I. "You don't?
Well, I will tell you, my boy; you give this gentleman back all
the money and jewelry you won from him, or I will have my men take
it from you, and then land you on the bank." I laughed at him,
and told him to bring up his whole crew, and I would suffer the
death of John Rodgers before I would give up one cent. He ordered
up the mate and crew. I backed up against the side of the boat,
and told them to call for cards, as I "stood pat." They said they
did not want any, for they could see by my looks I had the best
hand, or at least I would play it for all it was worth. The Captain
then said, "You must go ashore." I said, "Land her; both sides of
the river are in America, and that big brick house up there is
where I live." The old fellow could not help laughing at my cheek,
and so concluded to let me alone.

I have often had steamboat captains tell me I must give up the
money or go ashore, and I had them to tell the suckers to go and
get more money and try it again. I have also had them to say they
would put the suckers ashore, and that would break them all up.
A sucker thinks when he sees a mark on a card that he is robbing
the gambler, and he is just as much of a robber