Adam Craig, Publisher.
This book is dedicated
To the
Hon. John Cameron Simonds,
by the author,
as a token of esteem for his
fair-mindedness and sense of justice.
Although that gentleman is not a gamester,
nor in sympathy with the pursuit,
yet the author desires thus to acknowledge his
indebtedness to him for many valuable suggestions
in the preparation of this work.
PREFACE.
Two doughty knights, clad cap-a-pie in burnished mail, once journeyed forth in search of martial adventure. Their noble steeds all caparisoned for war, both wandered up and down through the world, defending the fair and protecting the weak. Betimes they chance to meet where stood in majestic beauty a bronze statue of victory. In her right hand the goddess clasped a sword, while in graceful pose her left rested upon an ægis richly wrought in the precious metals. Approaching from opposite directions, to one warrior the shield appeared as of gold, while to the other it was of silver. Low were bowed their crested helms in courtly salutations.
“Comely, Sir Knight,” said one, “comely and noble is this figure.”
“Yea, thou hast spoken truly,” was the reply.
“Precious, very precious,” rejoined the first, “must be yon golden targe.”