The Conversion of Trapper Lewis 263 



the balls about. I had no intention of playing, so 

 paid no heed to where object or cue-ball rolled. 

 The crowd watched me lazily for perhaps ten min- 

 utes ; then, to my astonishment, Lewis remarked : 

 " Say, Canady, I reckon I know a feller can down 

 you at that game fur a dollar! " 



A thought occurred to me that perhaps I could 

 get solid with Lewis at last, so I quietly weighed 

 the chances for a time and decided to take them. 



" So you think your man can beat me, Mr. 

 Lewis ? " 



" That's what I said, Canady." 



" And you're sure he can do it ? " 



" Shure ! I know he kin ! If he don't, he ain't 

 no son of mine." 



" Oh, he's your son, eh ? " 



" That's what I said." 



" Well, when do you want to try ? " 



" Will you go him, Canady ? By gosh ! we'll just 

 play you right now. I'll fetch him, he ain't far 

 off, you bet! But hold on thar, Canady! Just pile 

 up the dust 'fore I go after him. Don't want to 

 fetch no feller fur nothing, understand ! " 



We put up our dollars for a match, best three in 

 five games, and the old chap started after his hope- 

 ful progeny. I don't think he had far to go, as I 

 suspect the son was just outside the door, and the 

 whole affair was a put-up job. Anyway, they soon 

 appeared, accompanied by all available citizens. 

 The old man evidently considered the contest an 

 international affair, the stakes immense, and the 

 coming triumph of his son too important to be 

 missed by any one. 



