Page:Harris Dickson--Old Reliable in Africa.djvu/46

 until it sheathed him with silver like a fine white frost.

When the big gambler approached with his demand for a division of winnings, it was too dark for Cap to see the flush that overspread the Southerner's face. Neither did Cap Wright know the other man well enough to realize the danger in which he stood. The Colonel remembered distinctly that it was on Cap's deals that he had made various lucky draws, but never once supposed it to be anything more sinister than a caprice of the cards. It was well for both men that Spottiswoode did not understand, that he had to stop and think; well that he got control of his temper before muscles and tongue began. There was an instant, a bare moment, of silence during which old Zack came shuffling around the corner, and stopped. He saw the Colonel facing that big man, standing with both hands behind his back as if afraid he might be tempted to use them. Zack sidled up closer, and distinctly heard Cap Wright say, "Me an' Joe couldn't figure out how you happened to let that Eaton sucker get off with a six hundred dollar pot."

Then it was that the Colonel spoke, and Zack knew from his suppressed tones that something active was just about to take place. "I don't understand you." Spottiswoode almost whispered the words. "How did I let the sucker get away?"