My partner and I were waiting at the mouth of Red River for a boat
to take us to New Orleans. There was a man who had twelve bales
of cotton on the wharf, and he was also waiting for a boat. I told
my partner to get acquainted with him, and to keep away from me.
The result was that they were good friends when a boat arrived.
We all took passage, the cotton was loaded, and we were on our way.
I opened up the three-card racket; my partner won $100, and then
the cotton man was crazy, for he did not have any money to bet.
My partner told him he would loan him some on his cotton. They
went to the clerk, who made out a bill of sale for the twelve bales.
He got the money, and then he was happy, for he was sure of doubling
it with me. He was happy but for a short time. I had all his
money, and my partner had all of his cotton, so he (being a good
friend) let him have some money to pay his expenses. He did not
remain long, so the cost was not very heavy. The cotton was worth
about 12½ cents per pound at that time, but during the war it was
many times that price. I was never very much stuck on cotton, as
it was too bulky to get away with in case you had to leave a boat
in a hurry.