I landed at Natchez one evening just after dark, on the steamer
_General Quitman_. Some one told me that a lady had been robbed
of $3,500 that day by some smart thieves. They had watched her go
into the bank and draw the money, and then walk over to her carriage,
a short distance from the bank. One of the crooks took off his
hat, put a pen behind his ear, ran over to the carriage, and said:
"Madam, you must excuse me, for I have made a mistake in the money
I gave you. You need not get out, but sit still; I will go back
and rectify it." She handed him the money, never to see it or him
again. After we backed out from Natchez, I opened out my wheel in
the barber shop. The passengers came in and played until 1 A. M.,
when I closed up. While I was packing up my wheel, a fellow came
to me and said, "I've got a man with me who has got about $1,700,
and I want him to lose it. He loves to play poker; do you think
you can beat him?" "Oh, yes," I replied, "I can come pretty near
doing it." He said, "I want half, as he is a thief, and no good.
I had to divide $3,500 with him that I got in Natchez to-day."
"Well, bring him to me, and I will try it;" and he did so. I was
not long in doing him up for his part of the stealings. I divided
with the other thief, and then opened out my rouge et noir game.
The other fellow dropped in, and I won his part of the money, so
I had it all. I bid him good night and went to bed; but I could
not sleep, because I knew the one I beat last would rob me if he
got a chance. I laid in my bed a long time. Presently I heard
some one feel the knob of the outside door. I was in the upper
berth, and had my pistol under my pillow. My partner was in the
lower berth, for he had not been well that night, and went to bed
early. Pretty soon, bang went the lock, and a piece of it fell on
the floor. Then everything was still for some time, and at last
in he came. Just as he commenced to look about him to see how the
land lay, I pulled down on him with my gun, as I could see him
plainly by the light through the transom. He saw the gun, and did
not stop on the order of his going, but he went at once. I got
up, dressed myself, and went out to the bar. There was Mr. Thief.
I accused him of being in my room, but he denied it. I knew he
was lying, but I thought best not to do anything with him, for fear
I might have to give up the "stolen money," and I had not lost any
myself.