midnight
So she won every ounce , dollar , real , and centavo they had in their pockets ! The doctor and purser told me they saw her cheat boldly ; but yet she not only bagged all the money , but she won their mules into the bargain ! '' Here those individuals confessed roundly -- standing on the defensive -- that the fat old señora had a false pack of cards always ready in her ample bosom , and had cheated them in the barest manner conceivable ; but yet they had no appeal , and were inclined , out of gallantry for the sex , to behave like gentlemen , though she did drink aguardiente . `` Well , messmates , toward midnight that hospitable wife of the Don began to abuse our friends for not bringing more cash with them when they visited ladies , and then fairly kicked them out of the house ! Yes , you both told me so when I lent you the money to pay the boatmen , after being obliged to tramp all the way back to the port on foot , nearly missing their billets in the old ` Scourge . ' '' `` Go on , master ! Tell us all about it ; do n't stop ! ''