Gallagher said nothing as he drew in the pot, but there was a slight twitching at one corner of his mouth which led those who knew him best to suspect that he had not filled his flush. As this was no longer a matter of any importance nothing was said about it. Ferguson dealt next, and as no one caught a hand, the cards passed to Titherton, and he dealt for a jack-pot. It had not escaped Mr. Titherton’s notice, previous to this deal, that his manner of handling the cards had been the subject of close scrutiny, but he had not deemed it expedient to say anything about it. Now, however, as he began to serve the cards after the cut, he was somewhat astonished to see three of the players lean suddenly forward, so that their faces were within a foot of the table, and to notice that three pairs of eyes seemed to be fixed intently on his fingers. “What the ----?” he exclaimed in surprise, and, stopping the deal, he glared for a moment at each of the three in turn. They looked at him blandly in return, but volunteered no explanation, and he went on dealing, red with anger, but saying nothing more. Long Mike had apparently taken no notice of all this, being occupied with some red liquor that Sam had brought to him in response to his rather boisterous demand, but when he had received his cards he looked at them carelessly and promptly opened the pot for the size of it. When the others had seen their cards, they all came in, up to the dealer, and he raised it ten dollars. Long Mike hesitated, as if about to raise it back, but evidently decided that he was not in a good place for that play, so he merely made good. Gallagher and Stumpy both came in on the raise, but Ferguson dropped. Long Mike then called for two cards, and as Titherton picked up the deck to serve him the three leaned forward again and watched the dealer’s fingers as they had done before. Again Titherton paused, as if he had in mind to resent the insult, and again he thought better of it, and went on with the deal. Gallagher took one card and Stumpy took two, but they did not move to pick them up, keeping their eyes fixed on Titherton. “The dealer takes one,” said Titherton, and he dropped one card alongside his hand, which lay in front of him. Then the three straightened up and looked at one another, as if greatly astonished. “Is thot the reg’lar game?” asked Gallagher. “It is,” said Stumpy. “Thot is, it’s the new rule they’ve made in Arkansas. Maybe it’s rig’lar on th’ river now, I don’t know. In Arkansas the dealer has th’ privilege o’ ta-akin’ a card from the bottom or the top, av ye don’t see ut.” “But how if you see ut?” asked Gallagher. “Thot depinds,” said Stumpy. “On th’ boats they shoot, but on shore the dealer gen’ly goes over the levee, an’ all hangs on how he can shwim.” “I’ll bet ten dollars,” said Long Mike, throwing the money in the pot.