“The dealer takes one,” said Titherton, and he dropped one card alongside his hand, which lay in front of him.
Then the three straightened up and looked at one another, as if greatly astonished.
“Is thot the reg’lar game?” asked Gallagher.
“It is,” said Stumpy. “Thot is, it’s the new rule they’ve made in Arkansas. Maybe it’s rig’lar on th’ river now, I don’t know. In Arkansas the dealer has th’ privilege o’ ta-akin’ a card from the bottom or the top, av ye don’t see ut.”
“But how if you see ut?” asked Gallagher.
“Thot depinds,” said Stumpy. “On th’ boats they shoot, but on shore the dealer gen’ly goes over the levee, an’ all hangs on how he can shwim.”
“I’ll bet ten dollars,” said Long Mike, throwing the money in the pot.
He had been looking rather confusedly at his cards while the others talked, not paying attention to what they said. But Titherton interposed.
“Hold on a minute,” he exclaimed, laying his hand down in front of him and putting some chips on the five cards.
He moved and spoke very deliberately.