308 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



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 manner. 



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 be- 

 long." 



"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 herrin' 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 ami 

 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 partners. That's the 

 way to do it. Tildy Fatt take Dandy Tim through the same 

 manceuvres the others did." 



" Hefty, isn't she Dandy ? your biled shirt '11 be wet if you 

 swing her much." 



" Now swing opposite sides." 



" You'll knock the dust out o' the floor, Tildy, if you peg it 

 away like that. It'll do you good though. All balance and 

 swing partners." 



"That's life for you; that's dancin'. Even the barrels 

 under me are dancin' so lively that I'll soon be off. Nothin' 

 like good music. All promenade. Jerusalem ! what a dust ! 



