Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/64

 Tib, as he picked up the cards and passed them to his opponent to deal.

"In doing this he displayed for a few seconds three greasy kings near the top of the deck.

"‘Oh, why weren't you more careful?' I groaned. 'He's palmed them!'

"‘He thinks he has,' grinned Tib, looking up at me in his old care-free way, and winking one brown eye slowly.

"My man skilfully got rid of his extra cards and without looking at his hand bet a pup. Tib calmly pushed over a dog, drew down five babies in change and went him two little ones better. The chief, confident of winning, smiled grimly and seemed to hesitate, and then, as a coaxer, raised the bet three pups! Tib quickly came back the limit, five dogs.

"The chief began to go careful now, and slyly peeped at his two-card draw. He had caught a pair of deuces, and feeling sure of victory he tossed back the limit.

"The rug was now covered and crowded with dogs, and it took four of the giants to keep the chips in the pot. Tib added to the gayety by going the limit, once more. Then my man caught a cold and, meeting the raise, threw down his hand. His rage and wonder on beholding just the deuces and three nondescript cards were beautiful to see and a warning to all gambling men. Tib had a