Ranch Life 1 19 



used being for the most part French, although I did 

 not find this out for a long time. We, being Eng- 

 lishmen, made a sad mess of these steps — which 

 were often peculiar and complex; but the word 

 "Swing Partners," never failed to adjust our diffi- 

 culties and blunders. I can well remember one 

 dance in a small village at which this command 

 was given so often that I ventured to ask my 

 partner if, in her opinion, the Master of Ceremonies 

 knew what he was doing. " He 's rattled," she 

 replied glibly. "Whenever he forgets, he says, 

 'Swing Partners,* and while we're a swingin' he 

 thinks over what comes next. I think 'Swing 

 Partners ' more interesting than * Sachezl or ' h la 

 main left,* — don't you?" 



Now in those days " Saehez " and ' ^ la main 

 left " were manoeuvres executed with great dignity 

 and grace ; you accorded your partner nothing 

 more than the tips of your fingers in the latter, 

 whereas in the former you advanced and retreated 

 upon the tips of your toes. But at " Swing Part- 

 ners," you grasped the young lady firmly round the 

 waist, and were not rebuked too severely if her 

 feet, in the abandon of the pirouette, swung clear 

 of the ground altogether. Such freedom would be 

 eyed askance in the large towns, but I am talking 

 of the hamlets of Southern California — long ago. 

 Accordingly, I assured my partner that in my 

 opinion " Swing Partners *' was — interesting. 



When you are introduced to a young lady in the 

 country, she will probably repeat your name. Mr. 

 Robinson begs to present Mr. Jones to Miss Smith. 

 Mr. Jones murmurs " Miss Smith ; " and Miss Smith 



