“The two gentlemen discovered many wonderful things through the window: first a sailor had murdered a woman, next the stage had just capsized, and afterwards they were sure that the shop next door was on fire. Slick winked and smiled complacently, without leaving his position. He was too old a fox to be taken by such childish tricks. All at once, Number 2 observed to Number 1, that the bet would not keep good, as the stakes had not been laid down, and both addressed the host at the same time. ‘Not cunning enough for me,’ thought Slick, and poking his left hand into the right pocket of his waistcoat, he took out his pocket-book containing the larger notes, and handed it to his customers.
“‘Now,’ exclaimed Number 2 to his companion, ‘I am sure you will lose the wager; the fellow is imperturbable; nothing can move him.’
“‘Wait a bit; I’ll soon make him leave off,’ whispered the other, loud enough for Slick to hear him.
“‘Landlord,’ continued he, ‘we trust to your honour to go on for half an hour; we will now have a talk with bonny Mrs Slick.’ Saying this, they quitted the room without closing the door.
“Slick was not jealous. Not he; besides, the bar was full of people; it was all a trick of the gents, who were behind the door watching him. After all they were but novices, and he would win their money, he only regretted that the bet had not been heavier.
“Twenty minutes had fairly passed, when Slick’s own little boy entered the room. ‘Pa,’ said he, ‘there is a gemman what wants you below in the bar.’
“‘Another trick,’ thought the landlord; ‘they shan’t have me, though.—Here she goes, there she goes.’ And as the boy approached near to him to repeat his errand, Slick gave him a kick. ‘Get away—Here she goes, there she goes.’
“The boy went away crying, and soon returned with Mrs Slick, who cried, in an angry tone, ‘Now don’t make a fool of yourself; the gentleman you sold the town-lot to is below with the money.’
“‘They shan’t have me though,’ said Slick to himself. And to all the invectives and reproaches of Mrs Slick he answered only with, ‘Here she goes, there she goes.’ At last the long needle marked the half hour; and the landlord, having won the wager, turned round.
“‘Where are they?’ said he to his wife. ‘They; who do you mean?’ answered she.