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

mean?”
    â€œHe’s not only loaning money to the other players, but he’s keeping Bill’s watch right out in view. He ain’t got no intention of putting it into the pot.”
    â€œWhy would he provoke a man like Hickok?”
    â€œTutt ain’t afraid of Hickok. They got a history.”
    The man went on to explain to Clint about the women, and went on to add that Hickok had also killed a friend of Tutt’s at some time in the past.
    â€œBut Hickok’s reputation—”
    â€œTutt don’t care about that,” the man said. “If he can push Bill into a fight, he will.”
    â€œHow is Tutt with a gun?”
    â€œHe’s a fair hand, but if he can get Bill mad, he’ll have an advantage.”
    That made sense to Clint. Drawing a gun in anger could affect a man’s performance. He had witnessed that firsthand in the past.
    â€œStill seems like poking a sleeping tiger to me,” Clint said.
    â€œWell,” the man said, “I guess we’ll just have to see what happens.”
    â€œI guess so.”
    As Clint looked around, he saw that the majority of the house was now watching the poker game, and they were probably all poised to hit the floor if lead began to fly.
    * * * 
    Hickok’s newfound luck was starting to grate on Tutt. No matter how much money he loaned to the other players, Hickok was taking it. Still, Tutt had the Waltham watch on the table in plain sight, and he could see Hickok looking at it.
    When Hickok was about two hundred dollars ahead, Tutt could take it no more.
    â€œHey, Bill, it appears to me I remember a debt you owe me.”
    â€œWhat debt?”
    â€œForty dollars,” Tutt said.
    â€œFrom what?”
    â€œSome horse tradin’ we did a while back. You remember, don’t ya?”
    In point of fact, Hickok did remember.
    â€œYeah, I remember.”
    â€œSince you’re doin’ so good, how about payin’ me what you owe me?”
    â€œI don’t welsh on a debt,” Hickok said. “Here’s your damn forty dollars.” He tossed the bills across the table to Tutt, who picked them up and pocketed them.
    â€œNow can we play poker?” Hickok asked.
    â€œLet’s play poker . . .” Tutt said.
    * * * 
    But Dave Tutt couldn’t let it go. About half an hour later, with Hickok still winning, he brought up another debt. This one was a poker debt.
    â€œThirty-five dollars,” Tutt said, “from two days ago. Remember?”
    â€œYeah,” Hickok said. “But as I recall, it was twenty-five dollars.”
    â€œNo,” Tutt said, “it’s thirty-five.”
    They were between hands and Hickok stuck his jaw out at Tutt.
    â€œYou’re tryin’ to flimflam me outta ten dollars, ain’tcha, Dave?”
    â€œWell,” Tutt said, “if you’re feelin’ that way, I’ll just take my leave.”
    He collected his money from the table, folded it, and stuck it into his pocket, then very deliberately picked up Hickok’s watch and stood up.
    Hickok stood up so fast, his chair scooted back.
    â€œYou better put that watch back on the table, Dave,” he said.
    â€œWhy?” Tutt asked. “What’re you gonna do?”
    â€œI ain’t gonna cause trouble in this house,” Hickok said. “It’s a good house, and I don’t want no innocent people gettin’ hurt.”
    Dave Tutt gave Hickok an ugly smile, pocketed the watch, turned, and walked out of the place.
    Hickok stood there a few moments, then sat down and said to the other players, “Let’s play poker, gents.”

THIRTEEN
    Clint watched the poker game for a short time, but without Dave Tutt there loaning money to the other players, Hickok pretty much wiped them all out.
    Hickok went back to the bar, and this time he was nice to the bartender. He seemed to be a man of moods. Clint walked down the bar,