his fate. Another mstant, his muscles relaxed, and he sank back into his seat with the hoarse whisper, ^' The mines, by Godl"
One day a monte-dealer appeared upon a bar which was yielding good returns and making rich its diggers. It was a virgin field; no one of his profession had ever before outspread his enchantments in that locality. The camp was stagnating for an excitement; its occupants were ready to seize upon any pretext for relaxation from their long and profitable labor. They had no more disposition to bet than they had to fight Indians or hang a horse-thief, but they were eager for any excuse which should enable them to rest their limbs, distract their minds, and increase their potations. The "sport" took up his quarters at the best saloon, and drawing forth several bags of heavy dust, round and fat, and gold doubloons and silver Spanish dollars, temptingly heaped them upon his table. After inviting all hands to drink, he seated himself behind his bank, placed his weapons conveniently, then carefully unrolling a chamois-skin package, he produced several packs of thin tough well-kept monte-cards, which he deposited, not without an eye to effect, beside the gold. Taking up one pack after another, he carefully examines each, observes closely the backs and edges, counts them over several times to see that none are missing^, for if short or over a sino;le card his opponent might claim the whole of any intake whether he won it or not. Selecting a pack which best suits his fancy, he dexterously shuffles them long and thoroughly, passes them to be cut, then holding them scientifically half crushed in his soft white hand, with the faces downward, he draws from underneath the bottom two cards, and throws them face uppermost on the table, crying, 'All ready! Comedown; make 3'our game, gentlemen; seven of spades in the door ; the game is made; all down. No more!" Meanwhile the miners who had taken their seats at the ends and opposite sides of the table from the dealer put down
