‘What’s the matter, Nelson?’ asked Graeme cheerily. ‘There’s no funeral on.’
‘Perhaps not,’ replied Nelson, ‘but I wish Mr. Craig were home.’ And then he added, ‘There’s Idaho and Slavin together, and you may bet the devil isn’t far off.’
But Graeme laughed at his suspicion, and we passed on. The orchestra was tuning up. There were two violins, a concertina, and the ‘cello. Billy Breen was lovingly fingering his instrument, now and then indulging himself in a little snatch of some air that came to him out of his happier past. He looked perfectly delighted, and as I paused to listen he gave me a proud glance out of his deep, little, blue eyes, and went on playing softly to himself. Presently Shaw came along.
‘That’s good, Billy,’ he called out. ‘You’ve got the trick yet, I see.’
But Billy only nodded and went on playing.
‘Where’s Nixon?’ I asked.
‘Gone to bed,’ said Shaw, ‘and I am glad of it. He finds that the safest place on pay-day afternoon. The boys don’t bother him there.’
The dancing-room was lined on two sides with beer-barrels and whisky-kegs; at one end the orchestra sat, at the other was a table with refreshments, where the ‘soft drinks’ might be had. Those who wanted anything else might pass through a short passage into the bar just behind.
This was evidently a superior kind of ball, for the men kept on their coats, and went through the various figures with faces of unnatural solemnity. But the strain upon their feelings was quite apparent, and it became a question how long it could be maintained. As the trips through the passage-way became more frequent the dancing grew in vigour and hilarity, until by the time supper was announced the stiffness had sufficiently vanished to give no further anxiety to the committee.
But the committee had other cause for concern, inasmuch as after supper certain of the miners appeared with their coats off, and proceeded to ‘knock the knots out of the floor’ in break-down dances of extraordinary energy. These, however, were beguiled into the bar-room and ‘filled up’ for safety, for the committee were determined that the respectability of the ball should be preserved to the end. Their reputation was at stake, not in Black Rock only, but at the Landing as well, from which most of the ladies had come; and to be shamed in the presence of the Landing people could not be borne. Their difficulties seemed to be increasing, for at this point something seemed to go wrong with the orchestra. The ‘cello appeared to be wandering aimlessly up and down the scale, occasionally picking up the tune with animation, and then dropping it. As Billy saw me approaching, he drew himself up with great solemnity, gravely winked at me, and said—