He then insisted on making a bet. I told him to make a good big
one, as the old fellow was getting too drunk to handle his cards,
and he might fall over and stop the game.
My friend then ordered the drinks, thinking, no doubt, that if he
would treat, old Jack would bet more liberally with him.
When the bystanders saw Jack take another of those big drams, some
of them remarked:
"Those gamblers have that old fellow so drunk they will win all of
his money before they let him go. It's a shame, and we ought to
stop it."
My friend offered to bet $500, when old Jack said:
"Boys, I'm drinking, and I don't care, fur my spunk's up, and I'd
just's soon bet her all the first bet; them tarnal fellers guzzled
me out of $1,000 in Cincinnater, and I wants ter get even." So
saying he pulled out his big roll, slammed it down on the table,
and said:
"Thar's my pile, and you fellars darn't cover her."
I whispered to my friend, telling him that now was the time. Then
I asked Jack how much he had in the roll. He said:
"Wall, I don't know; I had $7,000 when I left Greenups, and I lost
$1,000 in Cincinnater and what yer win just now, so I reckon I've
got nigh onto $6,000."
I requested one of the bystanders to count the money, which he did,
and found it to be just $5,500. My friend had $3,400, and I put
up the balance.