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VIII. A New Force Disturbs the Current

           Amidthesoftjuicyvegetationofthehollowinwhichtheysat,themotionlessandtheuninhabitedsolitude,intrudedthechinkofguineas,therattleofdice,theexclamationsoftherecklessplayers.

           Wildevehadliftedtheboxassoonasthelightswereobtained,andthesolitarydieproclaimedthatthegamewasstillagainsthim.

           “Iwon’tplayanymore—you’vebeentamperingwiththedice,”heshouted.

           “How—whentheywereyourown?”saidthereddleman.

           “We’llchangethegame:thelowestpointshallwinthestake—itmaycutoffmyillluck.Doyourefuse?”

           “No—goon,”saidVenn.

           “O,theretheyareagain—damnthem!”criedWildeve,lookingup.Theheath-croppershadreturnednoiselessly,andwerelookingonwitherectheadsjustasbefore,theirtimideyesfixeduponthescene,asiftheywerewonderingwhatmankindandcandlelightcouldhavetodointhesehauntsatthisuntowardhour.

           “Whataplaguethosecreaturesare—staringatmeso!”hesaid,andflungastone,whichscatteredthem;whenthegamewascontinuedasbefore.

           Wildevehadnowtenguineasleft;andeachlaidfive.Wildevethrewthreepoints;Venntwo,andrakedinthecoins.Theotherseizedthedie,andclenchedhisteethuponitinsheerrage,asifhewouldbiteitinpieces.“Nevergivein—herearemylastfive!”hecried,throwingthemdown.“Hangtheglowworms—theyaregoingout.Whydon’tyouburn,youlittlefools?Stirthemupwithathorn.”

           Heprobedtheglowwormswithabitofstick,androlledthemover,tillthebrightsideoftheirtailswasupwards.

           “There’slightenough.

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