Immediately from the bed the Virginian gave forth a dreadful
howl.

And then everything happened at once; and how shall mere words
narrate it? The door burst open, and out flew the commercial
traveller in his stockings. One hand held a lump of coat and
trousers with suspenders dangling, his boots were clutched in the
other. The sight of us stopped his flight short. He gazed, the
boots fell from his hand; and at his profane explosion, Medicine
Bow set up a united, unearthly noise and began to play Virginia
reel with him. The other occupants of the beds had already sprung
out of them, clothed chiefly with their pistols, and ready for
war. "What is it?" they demanded. "What is it?"

"Why, I reckon it's drinks on Steve," said the Virginian from his
bed. And he gave the first broad grin that I had seen from him.

"I'll set 'em up all night!" Steve shouted, as the reel went on
regardless. The drummer was bawling to be allowed to put at least
his boots on. "This way, Pard," was the answer; and another man
whirled him round. "This way, Beau!" they called to him; "This
way, Budd!" and he was passed like a shuttle-cock down the line.
Suddenly the leaders bounded into the sleeping-room. "Feed the
machine!" they said. "Feed her!" And seizing the German drummer
who sold jewellery, they flung him into the trough of the reel. I
saw him go bouncing like an ear of corn to be shelled, and the
dance ingulfed him. I saw a Jew sent rattling after him; and next
they threw in the railroad employee, and the other Jew; and while
I stood mesmerized, my own feet left the earth. I shot from the
room and sped like a bobbing cork into this mill race, whirling