292 IN THE OLD WEST 



ner round the waist with the grip of a grisly bear, 

 each mountaineer whirls and twirls, jumps and 

 stamps ; introduces Indian steps used in the 

 " scalp " or " buffalo " dances, whooping occasion- 

 ally with unearthly cry, and then subsiding into 

 the jerking step, raising each foot alternately 

 from the ground, so much in vogue in Indian bal- 

 lets. The hunters have the floor all to themselves. 

 The Mexicans have no chance in such physical 

 force dancing ; and if a dancing Pelado * steps 

 into the ring, a lead-like thump from a gallop- 

 ing mountaineer quickly sends him sprawling, with 

 the considerate remark — " Quit, you darned 

 Spaniard! you can't shine in this crowd." 



During a lull, guages f filled with whisky go the 

 rounds — offered to and seldom refused by th^ 

 ladies, sturdily quaffed by the mountaineers, and 

 freely swallowed by the Pelados, who drown their 

 jealousy and envious hate of their entertainers in 

 potent aguardiente. Now, as the guages are oft 

 refilled and as often drained, and as night ad- 

 vances, so do the spirits of the mountaineers be- 

 come more boisterous, while their attentions to 

 their partners become warmer — the jealousy of 

 the natives waxes hotter thereat, and they begin to 

 show symptoms of resenting the endearments which 

 the mountaineers bestow upon their wives and 



* A nickname for the idle fellows hanging about a Mexi- 

 can town, translated into "Greasers" by the Americans, 

 t Cask-shaped gourds. 



