IN THE FAR WEST. 307 



latter were typical representatives of the ideal pioneers who cared 

 little for "biled" shirts, and tripped it away gaily without 

 coat or waistcoat, while some of them had their trowsers tucked 

 inside their heavy cow-hide boots. The gentle sex evidently 

 never paid much attention to the fashions, for the dresses of 

 the majority consisted of simple calicoes, which clung to their 

 forms with the tightness of a porous plaster. 



The band consisted of one fiddler, who was perched on a 

 chair that rested on two planks surmounting some barrels ; and 

 though his position looked precarious,he seemed to pay no atten- 

 tion to it, and to think of no such thing as a backward tumble. 

 When the company were assembled, the band scratched his 

 fiddle violently a few times, caused it to give several excru- 

 ciating screams, and after producing several cat-like flourishes, 

 he ordered all who wished to dance to form on the floor for 

 a "country " dance. 



When the lines were in position, he shouted out something 

 like the following : " Now, any of you who don't know how to 

 dance Money Musk had better get off the floor and sit on the 

 planks, because I don't want you to spile the fun of all the rest." 

 As nobody seemed inclined to move, he turned to a young 

 man near him, and said, " Jem Coffee-pot, do you know how 

 to dance this?" 



Jem replied that he did. 



" I don't bleeve that/' said the band, "cause I've seen you try it 

 on before and you couldn't dance worth a cent. But never mind ; 

 drive ahead now, as I see Susan Bumpas is your partner." 

 " All ready ? " 



" Yes," shouted several voices ; and with this he commenced 

 scratching away for dear life, while the terpsichoreans went 

 rushing up and down the floor and bumping against each 

 other so vigorously that the weaker were frequently 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. 



