I remember a game of poker I had once coming down from Cairo to
New Orleans, during the war. There was a paymaster in the game
who lost about $3,500, and when we got to Memphis I found out before
we landed that he was going to squeal; so I went to the mate and
asked him to put me where they could not find me, as I knew when
the soldiers came down to the boat I would have to divulge. He
put me down in a little locker that was forward of the main hatch,
and rolled barrels on it to hide the trap-door. Well, they came
down, took lights, and searched the boat and hold, the ladies' and
gentlemen's cabin, and at last gave up. After I had staid down
there for eight hours, the boat left for New Orleans. I came up
into the cabin, and you ought to have seen the passengers look at
me. They did not know what to make of my appearance before them;
but I told them I was up town and did not know anything of what
was going on; and I took in many a dollar after that.