Peregrine, who was present, perceiving the cupidity of the
association sufficiently inflamed, all of a sudden opened his mouth,
and answered their bets, to the amount of twelve hundred pounds;
which were immediately deposited, on both sides, in money and notes;
so that this was, perhaps, the most important game that ever was
played at billiards. Gauntlet seeing the agreement settled, struck
his antagonist's ball into the pocket in a twinkling, though it
was in one of those situations which are supposed to be against
the striker. The betters were a little discomposed at this event,
for which, however, they consoled themselves by imputing the success
to accident; but when, at the very next stroke, he sprung it over
the table, their countenances underwent an instantaneous distraction
of feature, and they waited, in the most dreadful suspense, for
the next hazard, which being likewise taken with infinite ease by
the soldier, the blood forsook their cheeks, and the interjection
"Zounds!" pronounced with a look of consternation, and in a tone
of despair, proceeded from every mouth at the same instant of time.
Pages:
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722