360 SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



" Yes," shouted several voices ; and with this he com- 

 menced scratching away for dear life, while the Terpsicho- 

 reans went rushing up and down the floor and bumping 

 against each other so vigorously that the weaker were fre- 

 quently sent reeling against the wall. 



Everything was done in the greatest hurry; hence what 

 the dance lacked in grace was atoned for in strength, and 

 boisterous, laughing confusion. Half of those on the floor 

 did not know the first principles of the figure, so they went 

 rushing wildly about, while a dozen others were calling off 

 the movements. The more stupid couples were frequently 

 seized bodily by some man near them and pushed through 

 certain parts of the figure, but no amount of impromptu 

 instruction could teach them what to do, and the result was 

 that all were soon mingled up in the most perplexed man- 

 ner. This seemed to make the self-sufficient band angry, 

 for he yelled out authoritatively, 



" Stop ! stop ! Not one of you knows any more about 

 dancing than a coyote ! Now, do as I tell you ; and those 

 who don't like to do it can find a seat on the boards, where 

 they belong. 



" Jem Coffee-pot, no foolin' ; and you, Hezekiah Sheep- 

 shank, needn't spile the set by knowin' more'n you do. 

 You weren't made for a dancin'-master. I could get a her- 

 rin' knows more about it 'n you do. 



"You ladies needn't keep swingin' so long; a ball-room 

 ain't no place for showin' your feelins'. 



"Now; all ready?" 



" Yes," shouted several. 



" Fire away, then," was the answer. 



" Now, Tom Fryin'pan, take Susan Fish by the hand and 

 bow to her politely. Bow all. Up and down the centre, 

 Tom, and swing. Lead off, and make it lively. Scoot to 

 the 'ind agen and back here. Come, make it lively ; none 

 o' your waltzin' airs here. Swing opposite couples until 

 you get to the 'ind. Make it lively ; one might think you 

 were goin' to a funeral. Now balance all and swing part- 

 ners. That's the way to do it. Tildy Fatt, take Dandy 



