"I ought to lift this again; but I won't," announced the lumberman. "I want to get Scotty's money in this pot, and I might scare him out."
Scotty, the second lumberman, hesitated for a moment, and then laid down his hand, using language. Dewing saw the raise.
"Here's where I get a cheap draw for the Dead Man's Hand—aces and eights." He discarded two and laid before him, face up on the table, a pair of eights and an ace of hearts. "I'm going to trim you fellows this time. Aces and eights have never been beaten yet."
"Damn you! Here's one eight you won't get," said Scotty; he turned over his hand, exposing the eight of clubs.
"Mustn't expose your cards unnecessarily," said Dewing reprovingly. "It spoils the game." He picked up the deck. "Cards?"
Pete pinched his cards to the smallest compass and cautiously discarded two of them, holding their faces close to the table.
"Give me two right off the top."
Dewing complied.
"Cards to you?" he said. "Next gentleman?"
The next gentleman scowled. "I orter have raised," he said. "Only I wanted Scotty's money. Now, like as not, somebody'll draw out on me. I'll play these."