Men were running hither and thither looking for their wives, and
women wore flying about in the wildest confusion seeking for their
husbands. Dismay appeared on every countenance.
The saloons and cabins soon looked more like hospitals than
anything else; but by this time the Patriot had drifted to the
shore, and the other steamer had come alongside to render
assistance to the disabled boat. The killed and wounded (nineteen
in number) were put on shore, and the Patriot, taken in tow by the
Washington, was once more on her journey.
It was half-past twelve, and the passengers, instead of retiring to
their berths, once more assembled at the gambling-tables. The
practice of gambling on the western waters has long been a source
of annoyance to the more moral persons who travel on our great
rivers. Thousands of dollars often change owners during a passage
from St. Louis or Louisville to New Orleans, on a Mississippi
steamer. Many men are completely ruined on such occasions, and
duels are often the consequence.
"Go call my boy, steward," said Mr. Jones, as he took his cards one
by one from the table.
In a few minutes a fine-looking, bright-eyed mulatto boy,
apparently about sixteen years of age, was standing by his
master's side at the table.
"I am broke, all but my boy," said Jones, as he ran his fingers
through his cards; "but he is worth a thousand dollars, and I will
bet the half of him."
"I will call you," said Thompson, as he laid five hundred dollars
at the feet of the boy, who was standing, on the table, and at the
same time throwing down his cards before his adversary.
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