“What a droll fellow he must have been!”
“He would only play in the presence of witnesses.”
“And you were forced to his terms?”
“To my great regret, I was.”
“And of course you lost—being so nervous in presence of company?”
“I lost the second half of my fortune as I had done the first. The only thing I kept back was the horse you see, and even him my ex-intendant insisted upon having as part of the bet. To-day I have no other hope than to make my fortune in this Tubac expedition, and if I should do so I may get back, and settle accounts with the knave. After that game, however, I swore I should never play another card; and, carramba! I have kept my oath.”
“How long since this happened?”
“Five days.”
“The devil!—You deserve credit for keeping your word.”
The two adventurers after having exchanged these confidences, began to talk over their hopes founded on the approaching expedition—of the marvellous sights that they would be likely to see—but more especially of the dangers that might have to be encountered.