her
than the bar, I proposed that we go to his stables and see the
horses, for I was always fond of good stock. As we went into the
stable, we saw a fellow sitting on a box just inside of the open
doors. He looked like a bull-driver, with his large whip, slouch
hat, pants in boots all covered with mud, and an old pipe in his
mouth. I did not take much notice of him, as I supposed he belonged
around there; and then I had come to look at Bill's fine horses.

While we were looking at the stock, some one called Bill, and he
excused himself for a few moments. In a short time Bill came back,
and I began asking him some questions about a horse I had been
looking at; but Bill did not appear to hear me, but said, "George,
did you notice that bull-driver sitting by the door as we came in
the stable?"

"Yes, I saw a fellow sitting there, but I supposed he belonged
around here, and I did not pay any attention to him."

"Why George! What do you think? That fellow is out there on the
box counting his money, and I'll be gol darned if he hasn't got
nigh on to $10,000, for I saw him counting over the big bills until
I couldn't stand it any longer, and I just came back here to get
you, for I know, George, that you can get it if any man can."

I replied, "Bill, I didn't think that old tramp had any money; but
if you saw it, all right. We will give him a whirl. How will be
play him?"

Bill then said, "Well, George, you go and get in with him, and when
you are all ready just give me the old sign, and I will come up
and try the old monte on him."

"All right," said I. So I found the fellow, and began my part of
the business. I inquired where he came from and all that, told
him I was a planter waiting for a boat, and invited him to take a
drink. While we were drinking, old Bill came up, rigged out just
as I had seen him so many times before; so if the fellow had noticed
him and I together when we went in the stable, he would not suspicion
that Bill was the same person.

We were just taking another drink when the old crazy looking fool
came up, so I said to the bull-driver, "What do you think of that
fellow coming up there? Let's have some fun with him."

"All right," said he.

So I said, "Come up and join us in a drink; we are just taking one."

Bill walked up and began his talk about where he had been, where
he was going, and how he had lost his money. He got out his tickets
and showed us how the game was played.