After the meal, while the men were yet resting, Bill had his horse saddled for some reason, and rode away, having left the men in charge of Red Sam.
As soon as the chief was gone, Brazos Tom brought forth his flask, which was now nearly emptied.
"Gents," he said, "while we is waitin' we'll finish this an' try a hand at poker. Wot d'yer say?"
"Oh, blazes!" growled one. "You an' Mike has purt' near finished that. Thar ain't enough left fer a drap apiece if we pass it around."
"Drink up your stuff," said Red Sam. "It's poor firewater, anyhow. I'm fer the poker. Does you come inter this yere game, young gent, same as ye did oncet before?"
This question was addressed to Frank, but Merry already "smelled a mouse," and so it did not need the warning look from Gonchita and the slight shake of her head to deter him.
"Excuse me," he said. "I have no money."
"Waal, fish some out o' the linin' o' your clothes, same as you did afore," advised Sam.
"But I have none in the lining of my clothes."
"I begs yer pardon, but we knows a heap sight better. Don't try no monkey business with us, younker! You was good enough ter git inter a game oncet before[Pg 111] an' try ter show us up, so we gives ye another chanct, an' ye'd better accept it in a hurry."