"A dollar is nothing," he said. "Let us make it five."
Ben hesitated.
"That's a good deal to lose," he said.
"That's true, but isn't it as much to win? Come, it will make our games more interesting, and you're as likely to come out ahead as I am."
"That is true," thought Ben.
"I'll tell you what," he said; "give me twenty-five points, and I'll do it."
"Anything for excitement," said Winchester; "but we're so nearly matched that you'll beat me twice out of three times on those odds."
Ben did beat the first game, and the exultation with which he pocketed the stakes revealed to his experienced opponent that he had the game in his hands.
Towards the middle of the afternoon Ben stood one game ahead. He was flushed and excited by his success.