Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling StoneReid, Mayne
General
Lost Lenore: The Adventures of a Rolling Stone
Reid, Mayne
Adventure stories; Dime novels; Fiction
On the Sunday before sailing out of the port of Vera Cruz, I went in
search of some amusement; and commenced strolling through town in hopes
of finding it. In my walk, I came across a man seated under an awning,
which he had erected in the street, where he was dealing "Faro." A
number of people were betting against his "bank," and I lingered awhile
to watch the game.
Amongst others who were betting, was a drunken mule-driver, who had been
so far unfortunate as to lose all his money--amounting to about one
hundred dollars.
The "MD"--as the mule-drivers were sometimes styled--either justly, or
not, accused the gambler of having cheated him. He made so much
disturbance, that he was at length forced away from the table by others
standing around it--who, no doubt, were interested in the game.
The "MD" went into a public-house near by; and soon after came out
again, carrying a loaded rifle.
Advancing within about twenty paces of the table where the gambler was
engaged, he called out to the crowd to stand aside, and let him have a
shot at the "skunk," who had cheated him.
"Yes," said the gambler, placing his hand on a revolver, "stand aside,
gentlemen, if you please, and let him have a chance!"
Those between them, obeyed the injunction in double quick time; and, as
soon as the space was clear enough to give a line for his bullet, the
gambler fired--before the "MD" had raised the rifle to his shoulder.
The mule-driver was shot through the heart; and the game went on!
We had an interesting voyage from Vera Cruz to New Orleans. The
hardships of the march and camp were over. Some were returning to home
and friends; and all were noisy--some with high animal spirits, and some
with strong ardent spirits, known under the name of _rum_.
There was much gambling on the ship, and many rows to enliven the
passage; but I must not tarry to describe all the scenes I have met, or
the narrative of the Life of a Rolling Stone will be drawn out too long
for the patience of my readers.
We landed in New Orleans, were paid what money was due to us, and
disbanded--each receiving a bounty warrant for one hundred and sixty
acres of land.
In the company to which I belonged, were some of my countrymen, who had
been in the English army; and I often conversed with them, as to the
comparative treatment of the soldiers of the English and American
armies. I shall give the conclusion we came to upon this subject.
A majority of English soldiers have relatives whom they visit and with
whom they correspond. The reader will easily understand that when such
is the case, thousands of families in the United Kingdom have more than
a national interest in the welfare of the army, and the manner its
soldiers are treated. The sympathies of the people are with them; and a
soldier, who may be ill-used, has the whole nation to advocate his
cause.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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