fore I would venture anything, I considered the company more
particularly, and there appeared such a group of villanous faces, that
I was struck with horror and astonishment at the sight! I signified
my surprise to Banter, who whispered in my ear, that the bulk of
those present were sharpers, highwaymen, and apprentices, who, having
embezzled their master's cash, made a desperate push in this place to
make up their deficiencies. This account did not encourage me to hazard
any part of my small pittance: but, at length, being teased by the
importunities of my friend, who assured me there was no danger of being
ill-used, because people were hired by the owner to see justice done to
everybody, I began by risking one shilling, and, in less than an hour,
my winning amounted to thirty. Convinced by this time of the fairness
of the game, and animated with success, there was no need of further
persuasion to continue the play: I lent Banter (who seldom had any money
in his pocket) a guinea, which he carried to the gold table, and lost
in a moment. He would have borrowed another, but finding me deaf to his
arguments, went away in a pet. Meanwhile my gain advanced to six pieces,
and my desire of more increased in proportion: so that I moved to the
higher table, where I laid half-a-guinea on every throw, and fortune
still favouring me, I became a sitter, in which capacity I remained
until it was broad day; when I found myself, after many vicissitudes,
one hundred and fifty guineas in pocket.

Thinking it now high time to retire with my booty, I asked if anybody
would take my place, and made a notion to rise; upon which an old
Gascon, who sat opposite to me, and of whom I had won a little money,
started up with fury in his looks, crying, "Restez, foutre, restez! il
faut donner moi mon ravanchio!" At the same time, a Jew, who sat near
the other, insinuated that I was more beholden to art than fortune for
what I had got; that he had observed me wipe the table very often,
and that some of the divisions appeared to be greasy. This intimation
produced a great deal of clamour against me, especially among the
losers, who threatened with many oaths and imprecations, to take me
up by a warrant as a sharper, unless I would compromise the affair by
refunding the greatest part of my winning. Though I was far from being
easy under his accusation, I relied upon my innocence, threatened in my
turn to prosecute the Jew, for defamation, and boldly off