Part 27 (1/2)

Shuffles and Wilton walked forward to find some of these kindred spirits. They seemed to know just where to look for them, for they turned in at Gangway D. Over each of the six pa.s.sages from which the mess rooms opened, a lantern was suspended, besides four more in the middle of the steerage. It was light enough, therefore, in the rooms for their occupants to read coa.r.s.e print.

In the lower berths of mess room No. 8 lay two students, while another sat on a stool between them. Their occupation was sufficient evidence that they belonged to ”our fellows,” for they were shaking props for money, on a stool between the bunks. As Shuffles and Wilton approached, they picked up the props and the stakes, and drew back into their beds.

”It's Shuffles,” said Philip Sanborn. ”How did you get out?”

”Worked out,” replied Shuffles, gayly.

”You don't mean to say you broke jail?”

”No; that would have been too much trouble. There was an easier way, and I took that.”

”How was it?”

”Why, I soft-sawdered the parson, and he soft-sawdered Lowington.”

”It's all right; go ahead with the game,” said Lynch, as he produced the props again.

Sanborn placed the money on the stool, consisting of two quarters in fractional currency. Lynch shook the props, and dropped them on the stool.

”A nick!” exclaimed he, s.n.a.t.c.hing the money. ”I'll go you a half now.”

”Half it is,” replied Sanborn, as he placed the requisite sum on the money the other laid down.

Lynch rattled the props, and threw them down again.

”A browner!” cried he, intensely excited, as he seized the money with eager hand.

”Don't talk so loud, you fool!” added Sanborn. ”The fellows are asleep above us, and you will wake them up. I'll go you a half again.”

”Half it is!” replied Lynch, in a whisper, as he shook again.

”An out!” said Sanborn, picking up the money.

”Three bells! Dry up!” interposed Wilton. ”One of the officers of the deck will be down in a minute.”

The young gamblers put away the implements, and drew back into their berths until the inspecting officer had looked into the room. When the master had gone on deck again, the play was resumed, and Shuffles and Wilton watched it with deep interest.

Gambling was a new thing on board the Young America. It had not been practised at all in the preceding year, having been introduced by Shuffles and Monroe, who had visited a prop saloon in the city where they resided, during their late furlough. Each of them had brought a set of props on board, with which they intended to amuse themselves during the voyage. As yet, the practice was confined to a few of ”our fellows;” but the crew in the steerage were certainly in very great danger of being carried away by the pa.s.sion for gaming, for it was spreading rapidly.

The prop-shaking was carried on in the mess rooms, while the students were off duty. Shuffles had played with half a dozen boys the night before; Sanborn and Lynch had been engaged in the game since the first watch was set, and another party had been employed in the same manner in another room. All of the boys were supplied with money in considerable sums, generally in sovereigns and half sovereigns, for use when they reached Europe. It was changing hands now, though no one had as yet been particularly lucky.

”Have a game, Shuffles?” said Lynch, when Sanborn declared that he had no money left but gold.

”No,” replied Shuffles, ”I shall not play any more.”

”Why not?”

”I haven't time; and I don't want to become too fond of it.”