"Mr.
Reade has just come here to look on and make sure that everything is being conducted above board and on the square.

Isn't that so, Reade ?" "Yes," Tom assented, pausing near the central table at which gambling was going on.
At that assurance the panic-stricken gamblers breathed more easily.
Several men who had jumped up from their seats went back to their chairs.
"Reade is a good friend of ours," called the leader of the gamblers, mockingly.

"He isn't going to interfere with any amusements that are properly carried on---eh, Reade ?" The fellow stared boldly into Tom's eyes, a look of insolent mockery on his features.
"Certainly I'm not going to interfere with any proper amusements in this camp," Tom nodded, easily.
"What did I tell you, boys ?" laughed the leader of the gamblers.

"Go on with your play, boys!" "But gambling isn't a proper amusement for poor men, who have to toil and sweat for every five-cent piece they get," Tom Reade continued calmly.
"Neither is the trade of bootlegging a decent one, or one that provides decent amusement.

I have already warned you that gambling and liquor selling are things of the past in this camp." There was another stir in the room.