"Where is it? I'd like to see it." "Um--" The barkeeper hesitated a moment, and then went to the door and looked up and down. "I don't see a member anywhere," he said, "but some of them will be in at dinner, and I'll introduce you." "Does one need an introduction to get in?" "Certainly." "What! Police watch it in a town like this?" "Police? No. It's a private club, gentlemen, eh? They would admit you on your card, I dare say, but it pleases the army and navy members to observe the usual formalities. Did you think it was run like a saloon?" As was said, Punta Arenas is a town whose characteristics are absolutely astounding, even to an experienced traveller. Cowboys, shepherds, lumbermen, miners, and sailors gather there to waste their substance in riotous living, and do so waste it, but there is not one public gambling-house in town, and the one lone dance-house there has but two girls in it and a hand-organ for music. "How long have you been in this town?" said I to the drink mixer. "About twelve years." "Professional gamblers ever come to town?" "I think so--one came. He was a Yankee, they say." "What made you think that?" "Well, we were up in Bray's billiard saloon. Bray is the boss billiard player of this town, and he was showing us some fancy shots, when a stranger dropped in and had a drink, and then we sat around and chatted. But Bray wanted to play billiards, and so pretty soon he asked the stranger to take a cue. The stranger said he liked to play billiards, but it was not worth while to play against the boss player of the town. "'Never mind that,' said Bray. 'We'll play for the drinks and see how we match.' "So they began. The stranger was a pretty fair player, and pretty soon Bray had to do his best, though by doing his best he managed to beat the stranger. I think it was thirty-two or thirty-three points. The stranger showed interest in the game, but was going to put down the cue, when Bray said: "'I'll just give you thirty points and beat you for ten dollars.' "The stranger showed eagerness at once, and putting up the cash went at it. That was a right pretty game, let me tell you, for both men played well, but at the last Bray ran out, although the stranger had but one point to make. The stranger looked excited when Bray ran out, and taking out a wad said: "'I'll bet you one hundred, or two hundred, or three hundred you can't do that again.' "'I'll go you for three hundred,' said Bray. It was just what Bray had been aching for. "It was Bray's first shot, and he made a string of nine. Thereat the stranger took his cue, chalked it, winked at the crowd, and ran out his string without a break. Then he picked up the cash, stuffed it in his pocket, and started out, whistling _Yankee Doodle_. We judged by that circumstance that he was a Yankee."