"Shuffle ’em up." chuckled the prospector. "Things are lookin’ better." Glancing from the worthless hand into Blascom’s exultant face Tex kicked the chair from in under him, arose and went to the bar where he gulped his drink, glanced sullenly around the room, and strode angrily to the stairs to go to his room. Wide and mocking grins followed him until he was hidden from sight, the expressions on the faces of Williams and his nephew transcending the others. The prospector gleefully pocketed the money and dust, sighed with relief and swaggered over to the other table, one thumb hooked in an armhole of his vest. He stopped near Williams and beamed at the players, patting his pocket, but saying nothing until the hand had been played and the cards were being scooped up for a new deal. "Williams," he said, laughing, "my supplies are cussed low, but now that I can pay for what I want I’m comin’ in tomorrow mornin’ an’ carry off ’most all yore grub." The storekeeper had glanced meaningly at one of the players and now he lazily looked up, his face trying to express pleasure and congratulation. The man he had glanced at arose, yawned and stretched, mumbled something about being tired and out of luck and pushed back his chair. As he slouched away from the table he turned the chair invitingly and nodded to Blascom. "Take my place; I’m goin’ to turn in soon," he said. "Why, shore," endorsed Williams. "Set in for a hand or two, Blascom. It’s early yet, too early to head for yore cabin. This game’s been draggin’ all evenin’; mebby it’ll move faster if a new man sets in." Waiting a moment for an answer and none being forthcoming, he leaned back and stretched his arms. "How you makin’ out on th’ crick--bad?" "Couldn’t be much worse," answered the prospector, his face becoming grave. "I can’t do much without water, an’ th’ only water I got is a sump for drinkin’ an’ cookin’ purposes. You know that I ain’t th’ one to put up no holler as long as I’m gettin’ day wages out of it; but when I can’t make enough to pay my way, then I can’t help gettin’ a little mite blue." "We all have our trials," replied Williams. He waved his hand toward the vacant chair. "Better set in for a little while. You’ve had good luck tonight: give it its head while it’s runnin’ yore way. Besides, a little fun an’ company will shore cheer you up. You ain’t got no reason to be hot-footin’ off to yore cabin so early in th’ evenin’."