Part 31 (2/2)

8.

”I'm five s.h.i.+llings into your half sovereign,” said one of the gamblers; and then Paul distinctly heard the rattling of the props.

”There's the half sovereign,” added another, whose voice the officer recognized as that of Wilton. ”You own five s.h.i.+llings in it, and I own five s.h.i.+llings.”

”That's so,” replied Sanborn, who appeared to be the lucky one.

”Let us shake for the coin,” added Wilton. ”It's my throw.”

”That's rather steep.”

”We get along faster--that's all. If I throw a nick, or a browner, it's mine; if an out, it's yours.”

”I am agreed--throw away,” replied Sanborn, without perceiving that the one who held the props had two chances to his one.

The props rattled, and dropped on the bed.

”A browner!” exclaimed Wilton, thereby winning all he had lost at one throw.

”Hus.h.!.+ don't talk so loud,” interposed Adler. ”You'll have the profs down upon us.”

”I'll go you another five s.h.i.+llings on one throw,” said Sanborn, chagrined at his loss.

”Put down your money.”

The reckless young gambler put two half crowns, or five s.h.i.+llings, upon the bed, and Wilton shook again.

”A nick!” said he, seizing the two half crowns.

”Try it again,” demanded Sanborn.

Paul Kendall was filled with horror as he listened to this conversation.

When he had heard enough to satisfy him that the speakers were actually gambling, he hastened to inform Mr. Lowington of the fact. Paul was an officer of the s.h.i.+p, and this was so plainly his duty that he could not avoid it, disagreeable as it was to give testimony against his s.h.i.+pmates. It seemed to him that the s.h.i.+p could not float much longer if such iniquity were carried on within her walls of wood; she must be purged of such enormities, or some fearful retribution would overtake her. There was no malice or revenge in the bosom of the second lieutenant; he was acting solely and unselfishly for the good of the inst.i.tution and the students.

He went on deck again. Shuffles was still there, and they met in the waist.

”You told me the truth,” said Paul.

”You did not think I was joking about so serious a matter--did you?”

replied Shuffles.

”No; but I hoped you might be mistaken.”

”How could I be mistaken, when I have seen, at one time and another, a dozen fellows engaged in gambling? Of course such things as these will ruin the boys, and bring the s.h.i.+p into disrepute.”

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