There Were Two Regularly Organised Whist-Parties, Which Played Rubbers Ad Infinitum. Cards Indeed Were Played At Most Of The

Tables - some played backgammon - a few would doze over odd volumes of old novels - while three chess-boards would be

Employed at a time, for there were ten persons perfectly devoted to this noble game. The varied employments of the occupants of the saloon produced a strange mixture of conversations. One evening, while waiting the slow movements of an opponent at chess, the following remarks in slightly raised tones were audible above the rest: - "Do you really think me pretty? - Oh flattering man! - Deuce, ace - Treble, double, and rub - That's a good hand - Check - It's your play - You've gammoned me - Ay, ay, sir - Parbleu! - Holloa! steward, whisky-toddy for four - I totally despise conventionalisms - Checkmate - Brandy-punch for six - You've thrown away all your hearts" - and a hundred others, many of them demands for something from the culinary department. Occasionally a forlorn wight, who neither played chess nor cards, would venture on deck to kill time, and return into the saloon panting and shivering, in rough surtout and fur cap, bringing a chilly atmosphere with him, voted a bore for leaving the door open, and totally unable to induce people to sympathise with him in his complaints of rain, cold, or the "ugly night." By eleven the saloon used to become almost unbearable, from the combined odours of roast onions, pickles, and punch, and at half-past the lights were put out, and the company dispersed, most to their berths, but some to smoke cigars on deck.

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