But Idaho was never enamoured of the social ways of Black Rock. He was
shocked and disgusted when he discovered that a 'gun' was decreed by
British law to be an unnecessary adornment of a card-table. The manner
of his discovery must have been interesting to behold.
It is said that Idaho was industriously pursuing his avocation in
Slavin's, with his 'gun' lying upon the card-table convenient to
his hand, when in walked policeman Jackson, her Majesty's sole
representative in the Black Rock district. Jackson, 'Stonewall' Jackson,
or 'Stonewall,' as he was called for obvious reasons, after watching the
game for a few moments, gently tapped the pistol and asked what he used
this for.
'I'll show you in two holy minutes if you don't light out,' said Idaho,
hardly looking up, but very angrily, for the luck was against him. But
Jackson tapped upon the table and said sweetly--
'You're a stranger here. You ought to get a guide-book and post
yourself. Now, the boys know I don't interfere with an innocent little
game, but there is a regulation against playing it with guns; so,'
he added even more sweetly, but fastening Idaho with a look from
his steel-grey eyes, 'I'll just take charge of this,' picking up the
revolver; 'it might go off.
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