The Mexicans showed a sterner obsession, an intenser passion.

Some of the Americans staked freely, nonchalantly, as befitted men to whom money was nothing.

These latter were manifestly winning, for there were brother outlaws there who wagered coin with grudging, sullen, greedy eyes.

Boisterous talk and laughter among the drinking men drowned, except at intervals, the low, brief talk of the gamblers.

The clink of coin sounded incessantly; sometimes just low, steady musical rings; and again, when a pile was tumbled quickly, there was a silvery crash.