Further Adventures of James Butler Hickok (9781101601853) Read Online Free PDF

you.”
    The thought of that almost made him drop his pants again, but he hurried out of the room before that could happen.
    * * * 
    Instead of going to the saloon he had been patronizing since his arrival in town, he simply stopped at the one closest to his hotel. It was the one where Hickok and Tutt were playing, in the Old Southern Hotel on South Street, just a block from the public square.
    As he entered, he saw one table with a poker game in process, but really no other gambling going on. Still, the other tables were full, and the bar was busy.
    He made room for himself at the bar and said to the bartender, “Beer.”
    â€œYessir.”
    For some reason the bartender seemed nervous when he brought him his beer.
    â€œYour hand is shaking,” Clint observed.
    â€œYessir,” the man said. “It’s Bill Hickok.”
    â€œWild Bill Hickok?”
    â€œYessir. He’s been losing at poker, and he’s in a foul mood. And he’s drinkin’.”
    â€œWhere is he?” Clint asked.
    â€œLook down the bar, feller with the long hair and mustache.”
    Clint looked and saw a morose-looking Wild Bill Hickok.
    â€œMaybe you should introduce yerself,” the bartender said.
    â€œYeah, he’d want to meet me,” Clint said. “Or maybe you just want somebody to take his mind off you?”
    â€œI didn’t do nothin’,” the bartender muttered. “Not really.”
    â€œI’ll stay right here and drink my beer, thank you,” Clint said.
    â€œSuit yerself.”
    The bartender moved on but didn’t go anywhere near Hickok.
    * * * 
    Losing was not the thing that was bothering Hickok. Losing his prized Waltham watch was what ailed him. Also, the fact that Tutt was seeing Susannah Moore, who had been waiting for Hickok to return from the war to resume their relationship. But a recent argument had apparently driven her into Dave’s arms. In retaliation, Hickok had taken up with another one of Dave Tutt’s sisters. The bad feeling between the two men was festering, and now Tutt had Hickok’s watch.
    But not for long.
    Hickok finished his beer, and decided to rejoin the game.
    * * * 
    As Clint watched, Hickok walked over to the poker table and sat down. Unknown to him, Wild Bill had a stash of cash inside his jacket, which he had determined was not for poker. But the situation dictated a change of tactics.
    All Clint knew was that Hickok laid some cash on the table and said, “Deal me in!”
    â€œGood to have you back, Bill,” Tutt said.
    â€œI’m gonna win back my watch,” Hickok said.
    â€œYou’re welcome to try,” Tutt said.
    Clint called the bartender over.
    â€œWhat’s this about a watch?”
    â€œThat feller is Dave Tutt,” the bartender said. “He won a hand that included Hickok’s watch.”
    â€œAnd Hickok wants it back.”
    â€œI suppose,” the bartender said, “I’m just glad he left my bar and went back to the game.”
    â€œI’ll have another beer,” Clint said.
    â€œComin’ up, mister.”
    With his new beer in hand, Clint turned and leaned against the bar to watch the proceedings at the table, promptly forgetting about the girl in his bed.

TWELVE
    Hickok’s luck changed.
    He started to win, but he was taking money from everybody at the table except Dave Tutt. Before long, he was a hundred dollars ahead, but his watch was still sitting in front of Tutt.
    And to rub salt into the wound, Tutt began loaning money to other players at the table, so they could continue to play against Hickok. Hickok was sure Tutt was trying to get his goat, but he was determined that would not be the case. At least when he was beating everyone else, he was taking some of Tutt’s loaned money.
    * * * 
    â€œTutt’s really rubbin’ it in,” a man standing next to Clint said.
    â€œHow do you