"Yes, youngster, there's nothin' to bender, but take a fool's advice, and ef you've got money in your pocket, don't do it."
"You don't think I'd gamble, do you?" said Ben, horror-struck.
"I've seen youngsters smaller than you bet their pile."
"You won't catch me doing it. I am a poor boy, and have nothing to lose."
"All right, then. You're a country boy, ain't you?"
"Yes."
"So was I once, but I've had the greenness rubbed off'n me. I was jest such a youngster as you once. I wish I could go back twenty years."
"You're not very old yet," said Ben, in a tone of sympathy. "Why don't you reform?"
"No, I'm not old-only thirty-six-and I ain't so bad as I might be. I'm a rough customer, I expect, but I wouldn't do anything downright mean. Ef you're goin' into this den, I'll go with you. I can't take care of myself, but mayhap I can keep you out of danger."
"Thank you, sir."