They've cross-cut his ground and the pay ain't there, so they've quit work for good." "He drew a blank, eh ?" "Worse'n that--three of them.

The creek is spotteder than a leopard.
Runnion's men, for instance, are into it bigger than a house, while Poleon's people can't raise a color.

I call it tough luck--yes, worse'n tough: it's hard-biled and pickled.

To them as has shall it be given, and to them as hasn't shall be took even what they 'ain't got, as the poet says.

Look at Necia! She'll be richer than a cream puff.