Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/43

 to him. Eaton sat in "The age" at the left of Shields, with Colonel Spottiswoode next—"Under the gun," as he expressed it. Eaton had either grown reckless from drink, or he felt absolutely certain of his hand. The pot had been raised and back-raised, and raised again, until everybody dropped, except Eaton and the Colonel. Whenever the Colonel gave her "another lift" he made some jocular remark about that one card story.

"Cards, gentlemen?" asked the dealer—being Shields.

"I'll play these," said Eaton, turning to the Colonel.

"One card," promptly announced the Colonel, and Shields flipped it off the deck.

"Hold on! Hold on!" Cap Wright forgot himself and interfered. "How many cards did you say, Colonel Spotwood?"

"Oh, I beg your pardon," apologized the Colonel, "Mr. Dealer, I made a mistake. I don't want any cards, I'm pat."

Shields was already reaching out to take back the undesired card when Eaton stopped him, then spoke to the Colonel without meeting his eye, "Your card's on the table. You must take it."

"Yes, yes," Castelleone and Torreale chimed in eager chorus. "The card is called for and dealt. Under the rules"