ere few who could beat me at it. If my partner knew the game as well,
I felt certain we could not be badly damaged; and according to all
accounts he understood it well. This was the opinion of one or two of
the bystanders, who whispered in my ear that he was a "whole team" at
whist.

Partly from the reckless mood I was in--partly that a secret purpose
urged me on--a purpose which developed itself more strongly afterwards--
and partly that I had been bantered, and, as it were, "cornered" into
the thing, I consented to play--Chorley and I _versus_ Hatcher and the
pork-merchant.

We took our seats--partners _vis-a-vis_--the cards were shuffled, cut,
dealt, and the game began.

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT.

THE GAME INTERRUPTED.

We played the first two or three games for low stakes--a dollar each.
This was agreeable to the desire of Hatcher and the pork-merchant--who
did not like to risk much as they had nearly forgotten the game. Both,
however, made "hedge bets" freely against my partner, Chorley, and
against any one who chose to take them up. These bets were on the
turn-up, the colour, the "honours," or the "odd trick."

My partner and I won the two first games, and rapidly. I noted several
instances of bad play on the part of our opponent. I began to believe
that they really were not a match for us. Chorley said so with an air
of triumph, as though we were playing merely for the honour of the
thing, and the stakes were of no consequence. After a while, as we won
another game, he repeated the boast.

The pork-dealer and his partner seemed to get a little nettled.

"It's the cards," said the latter, with an air of pique.

"Of coorse it's the cards," repeated white-hat. "Had nothing but darned
rubbish since the game begun. Thar again!"

"Bad cards again?" inquired his partner with a sombre countenance.

"Bad as blazes! couldn't win corn-shucks with 'em."

"Come, gentlemen!" cried my partner, Chorley; "not exactly fair that--no
hints."

"Bah!" ejaculated the dealer. "Mout show you my hand, for that matter.
Thar ain't a trick in it."

We won again!

Our adversaries, getting still more nettled at our success, now proposed
doubling the stakes. This was agreed to, and another game played.

Again Chorley and I were winners, and the pork-man asked his partner if
he would double again. The latter consented after a little hesitation,
as though he thought the amount too high. Of course we, the winners,