The Slave of the Mine; Or, Jack Harkaway in 'Frisco.

By BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG.

"THE BULLET STRUCK NAPPA BILL ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE WRIST, AND, WITH A FEARFUL OATH, HE ALLOWED HIS KNIFE TO DROP ON THE FLOOR."

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. THE GAMBLING-HOUSE.
CHAPTER II. A SURPRISE.
CHAPTER III. MALTRAVERS'S PLOT.
CHAPTER IV. THE BOX AT THE CALIFORNIA THEATRE.
CHAPTER V. VASQUEZ, THE BANDIT.
CHAPTER VI. THE SLAVE OF THE DIAMOND MINES.
CHAPTER VII. MISS VANHOOSEN TRAVELS.
CHAPTER VIII. THE ESCAPE FROM THE MINES.
CHAPTER IX. THE ATTACK ON THE STAGE.

CHAPTER I.

THE GAMBLING-HOUSE.

"I rather like this game!"

"Well, I should smile if you didn't. Luck'sdead sot in for you now, you can bet."

"Perhaps," said thefirst speaker; "but Idon't propose to followit up."

"What?"

The second speakersprang from his chair inamazement.

"No. I flatter myselfI know when to stop. Ihave played at Badenand Monaco, in the clubsof London and the hellsof Paris, as well as thegambling saloons of theWest, and I'm not to bepicked up for a flat."

"That's sure; but lookat here; as sure as myname is Dan Markham,and I'm known as a profeshat gambling fromhere to Cheyenne andVirginia City, and lettin'alone Omaha, you'rewrong."

"Why?"

"When you've got arun of luck, play it for allit is worth."

"You think so?"

"My friend, fortune iswithin your grasp. Playon the ace and copperthe jack, I tell you," repliedDan Markham.

"Thank you. I don'twant any one to dictateto me."

With this quiet answerthe first speaker piledup his checks and receivedan equally largepile of gold twenty-dollarpieces, which he placedin an inside pocket of hiscoat. Then he laughedharshly.

"I don't know why Ido this sort of thing," heremarked. "It isn't becauseI want the money."

"I'll tell you," repliedthe gambler.

The lucky player rosefrom his seat and thegame went on, therebeing a dozen or moremen present who wereintent upon it.

The game was faro.

Slowly and solemnlythe dealer took the cardsout of the box, and withequal solemnity the playersmoved their checksas their fancy dictated.

The first speaker wasa man of a decided Englishcast of countenance,and the profusion of sidewhiskers which he worestrengthened his Britanniclook.

He was well dressed,handsome, though somewhathaggard, as if hesuffered from want ofsleep, or had some cankeringcare gnawing athis heart.