Inasmuch
as No. 6 did not leave until one o'clock, he had ample time in
which to witness the lottery drawing, a thing he had been curious
to see since he had first heard of it. This form of gambling was
well recognized, it seemed; not only the natives, but all classes
of Canal Zone workers, engaged in it freely. On every street
corner women sold tickets day after day, and, as the drawings were
conducted under rigid government supervision, the lottery had come
to be regarded as a sort of public institution, quite as reputable
as an ordinary church raffle.
Allan, vastly excited, was of course waiting to accompany him,
and, when Kirk had finished a leisurely breakfast, the two
strolled idly down into the city.
"Oh, boss," exclaimed the negro, "I feel that we shall
h'experience good-fartune to-day."
"Did you buy a ticket?"
"No, sar, I reinvested all my monies travelling on those railroad
trains."
"Now see how foolish you are. If you'd stayed at home you might
have bought the winning number to-day."
"I prefer to h'accompany you. But--I have been thinking to make
you a proposition of partnership. Master h'Auntony. I will stay
home and dream numbers which you can purchase with your salary. In
that manner we shall certainly burst this lottery.
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