Hi put it rather graphically.

"The devil takes his innin's one Sunday and The Pilot the next," adding emphatically, "He hain't done much scorin' yit, but my money's on The Pilot, you bet!" Bill was more cautious and preferred to wait developments.

And developments were rapid.
The Hill brothers' meet was unusually successful from a social point of view.

Several Permits had been requisitioned, and whisky and beer abounded.

Races all day and poker all night and drinks of various brews both day and night, with varying impromptu diversions--such as shooting the horns off wandering steers--were the social amenities indulged in by the noble company.