350

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

£ Five hundred better!y said the foolish bull-driver, and pulled
out the amount and showered it on the pile. The three conspirators
hardly tried to conceal their exultation.

'All diplomacy and pretence were dropped now, and the sharp

exclamations came thick and fast, and the yellow pyramid grew
higher and higher. At last ten thousand dollars lay in view. Wiley
east a bag of ooin on the table, and said with mocking gentleness—
*I?ive thousand dollars better, my friend from the rural districts
—wbat do you say now?9